'Mentorship is particularly important for women. The status quo is persistent' - Logicalis COO

CRN's Women in Channel role model Logicalis COO Natalie Matthews explains the impact of mentorship, 'imposter syndrome' and why the channel has to do a better job at selling the industry to young people

CRN's inaugural Role Model of the Year has revealed that her "surprise" career progression from an assistant PA at IBM to the COO of Logicalis was instigated by mentors who "saw something in me I didn't see myself".

Natalie Matthews described mentoring others - both men and women - in the industry as having been an important part of her career.

However, she noted that all her own mentors were men.

Playing devil's advocate, we asked if that matters. Did she think it makes a difference if women who have risen through the ranks offer mentorship, too?

"Yes, because I think you need to have a balance. I think that mentors are particularly important for women, and I've seen that myself," she said.

"Women often struggle with confidence. They are more likely to doubt that they have all the right skills, and don't put themselves forward for promotions. So having someone who directly understands that, and has been through that themselves, can really help influence your thinking.

"It's different from having a talk from someone on this issue. Being mentored by someone who has been there and struggled themselves brings the lessons to life and helps to drive true development."

Some 30 years on from her first role in the industry, it's something that Matthews thinks still affects her.

"I didn't nominate myself for the [Women in Channel] Awards," she said.

"To be honest, I'm not sure I would have put myself forward."

Environmental reinforcement

Asked why she believes underestimating their own ability is such a common hurdle for women, Matthews pointed to the pervasive influence of the status quo.

"The differences between men and women come from our early years for a lot of people. And coming into what is often a very male-oriented environment can also have an effect on you; it can be persistent," she said.

"You see these other people around you who seem so much more confident than you are, and I think that also throws things for individuals.

"And from what I've seen in my career, when we look at women, there hasn't been the support to tackle this…There's a lot more now, but I really can't remember people ever talking about this in my earlier days."

The current state of play

Matthews comments about "the early days" of tech come days after the agency Inclusive Boards reported that the tech industry of 2018 still reflects sluggish progress on diverse representation.

Women make up only 12.6 per cent of tech sector boards and 16.6 per cent of senior roles in the UK "equivalent to 14.6 per cent female representation across all senior levels in tech".

That figure drops to 8.5 per cent for senior leaders with a black, Asian, or minority background.

The figures are in stark contrast to our industry's messaging around "innovation".

Role model advice - Be candid about the challenges

So, what can be done?

"My advice would be that we need to work to improve the messaging about our own industry. Tech isn't just a man's world," said Matthews.

"I think a lot of youngsters I've spoken to see tech as more of an engineering role; they don't see the many other opportunities.

"And I do think it's important to encourage people to have some belief in themselves…It is so interesting to see the talent that is out there.

"It's also important to admit to struggling with some challenges.

"I've struggled with public speaking throughout my career - I've always had to do it in the positions I've held. And at the time you really think it's only you who struggles with it.

"Sharing my challenges has not only given me the exposure to realise that I'm not alone in this, that people in all sorts of different positions also face this, but also by being authentic and honest, it does help you to be seen as more approachable.

"I've been able to help a lot of people deal with this, so it has turned into a big positive for me."