Why leaders should give the next generation of women in ICT the support they need to go further and faster

Time flies when you're having fun, as the old saying puts it. That's certainly true for those of us who work in the dynamic, fast paced world of tech sales.  

One minute you're a rookie on the business development team or sitting on the support desk, trying to get better at resolving straightforward issues. 

The next, you're a senior member of the leadership team, with regional or global responsibilities, a string of direct reports and the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction and success of the enterprise you serve.

After spending 13 years with the enterprise asset management software vendor Prometheus Group, working my way up the ladder via a series of progressively senior positions, I find myself in the latter category. It's been a whirlwind journey and a highly satisfying one; working with a fast-paced organisation in growth mode that's intent on growing its global footprint by enabling utilities and manufacturers to optimise their management of plant and equipment.

For me, the days of worrying about whether I fit in – and have what it takes to succeed in a sector where change is a constant and working smart and hard are the only way to keep up – are behind me. I've chosen my path, established myself and proven I can add value in a range of scenarios.

Supporting up and coming women as they rise through the ranks

These days, the question that's more often top of mind is how I can best enable the next generation of young employees, women in particular, to achieve their maximum potential. 

I'm conscious of the fact that, just as I watched more senior women carry themselves and make their way in a male dominated workforce 15 years ago, many of our employees view me as a role model – someone who's gotten where they hope to go.

It's a responsibility I don't take lightly. I'm conscious that by my actions and behaviour, I need to be sending a clear signal – that I believe my knowledge is valuable, my opinions are worthy of consideration and that I deserve to be in the room.

Serving the leaders of tomorrow

The message I strive to impart is a positive one: you are the owner of your own destiny and we have more opportunities available to us today because of the generations of women who came before us and paved the way. Our responsibility now is to seize those opportunities, make the most of them, and pass the torch to the next generation.

I certainly see it resonating with many of the young, driven women who've joined our ranks at Prometheus in recent years. 

We've grown up in a world where anything is possible, and where women are increasingly visible in roles that once felt out of reach. Reaching the C-Suite no longer feels like a distant aspiration - it's a real and achievable ambition for motivated, high-calibre leaders, and we're seeing more women step into those roles across our industry each year.

Giving the gift of self-belief

I find supporting emerging leaders incredibly rewarding whether that means helping them sharpen their skills, navigate the world of enterprise software sales, or encouraging them to speak up and trust their perspective.

More often than not, what they're working through isn't capability but confidence. The pressure they feel is real, as is the weight of the expectations they place on themselves in a highly competitive environment.

That's where mentors and allies make a real difference. It's part of our responsibility to help the next generation work through moments of self-doubt and build the confidence to step fully into their potential.

That support can shape career journeys in meaningful ways, making the path forward clearer, more confident, and far more rewarding.

As we prepare to mark International Women's Day, I'm looking forward to coming together with other women to celebrate the progress we've made and the momentum we'll continue building in 2026 and beyond.