Norah Breekveldt, a Telstra Business Women’s Award winner, has been passionate about positioning gender equity as a key business driver for organisations throughout her career. She is the author of two books: Sideways to the Top – 10 Stories of Successful Women That Will Change Your Thinking About Careers Forever (Melbourne Books 2013), and Career Interrupted: How 14 Successful Women Navigate Career Breaks (Melbourne Books 2015).
Norah contributes regularly to debates, discussions, professional publications, journals, and blogs on diversity and inclusion perspectives. She is sought out as a contributor to diversity and inclusion think tanks, and as a speaker at corporate events and conferences.
Growing up, what kind of career did you want to pursue?
My parents encouraged me to become a teacher, like lots of women. For a while I wanted to be an airline pilot – possibly because dad worked for Ansett. Really, I had no idea. I just took one year at a time and tried to be the best I could be, at whatever opportunities came my way. I fell into human resources because it was the best offer available to me after I graduated.
Who inspires you?
People who challenge the status quo. Women racing car drivers, male kindergarten teachers, women CEOs, men who take parental leave so their partner can return to their career.
Who is most surprised by your achievements?
No-one really. My parents were always proud of me, my husband is hugely supportive and loves to bask in my successes and I was always prepared to have a go. I was gob smacked when I won the Telstra Business Women’s Award in 1995. I had never considered myself to be in that league of extraordinary women.
How have women helped shape your success to date?
My corporate career was in the chemical and manufacturing industries so there were not many women in positions of power in the workplace who could advocate for me. However there were some women who, supported me anonymously and behind the scenes, which led to appointments to Committees such as the Review of the EEO (Affirmative Action for Women) Committee and the Employment Services Regulatory Authority (ESRA) – a body set up to transition employment services from the Commonwealth Employment Service to private providers. Joan Kirner, former Victorian Premier and chair of ESRA taught me a lot about good governance on Boards. She was a great listener, highly collaborative and fantastic at holding every Board member accountable for expressing a point of view. No-one cruised on her Board!
What qualities do you most admire in a female colleague?
Friendship, positivity and encouragement. These qualities have proved invaluable to me personally on many occasions. For instance, during my MBA final year I was part of an all-female syndicate group and these qualities led to all of us excelling and scooping the lion’s share of the final year awards. I hear about women being competitive. My experience has been different. Many of the women I know celebrate their women friends’ successes in a non-competitive way and support them at every opportunity.
What’s the key to successfully balancing work and life?
There is no key to balance. Juggling each day is the best you can do. It is made easier with partners, friends and family who share the responsibilities and an employer that understands the value well-rounded employees bring to the workplace.
If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it?
So many options – going to the movies or lunch with a friend or my husband, playing a round of golf or spending time with my beautiful new grand-daughter.
Who do you regard as your mentor?
Not one person. I have several friends and long-term colleagues who are always there to support me.
What personal attributes have you used to overcome adversity in your life?
First, my childhood experiences. When things don’t go the way I had planned I remind myself of my roots and how far I’ve come. I’m very grateful for having come from humble beginnings. I grew up with battlers, had to work hard for everything and never had an entitlement mentality. As a migrant I always felt like a bit of an outsider growing up. This has made me somewhat self-sufficient and independent, and not afraid to stand up for my beliefs – which in turn makes me resilient.
Secondly, it is important to have the right friends and partners through life. I avoid people who bring me down, are negative or pessimistic. I look for positive friends and colleagues who believe in me, don’t judge me and will give me frank and fearless feedback and advice.
If you could make one change to women’s lives, what would it be and why?
Respect by men. Lack of respect leads to violence against women, reinforces women’s low status in society and perpetuates power imbalances that limit choice and opportunity.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Dealing with the peaks and troughs in workload that come with a coaching and consulting career. I love being busy and being intellectually challenged. I struggle with quiet days and get anxious if there isn’t a strong pipeline of work coming through.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to success in your field?
In consulting and coaching it’s critical to stay visible. You can do this in many ways, such as attending or speaking at professional events, publishing, being active on social media and keeping in touch with clients. There’s nothing wrong with giving some free advice to a prospective client when they ask for it or sending them some information that you think they will enjoy reading. Part of being visible is also being generous with your time especially to people starting out in their career or needing advice in dealing with career challenges. Become a great networker and connect people. You will be rewarded in spades both professionally and personally.