Skills essential to drive change

Speaking professional Jacqueline Nagle says work beyond International Women’s Day (IWD) is the key to driving gender equality.

The executive and business coach, a passionate advocate for women and sustainable equality, will host a morning workshop at Eaton’s Hill Hotel on Friday.

Any Given Tuesday, which she founded, is also a major sponsor of Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism’s (MBRIT) Inspiring Women’s Lunch at the same venue.

The theme for this year’s IWD is DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality in AI (artificial intelligence).

Jacqueline said there is “extensive male bias in all AI platforms, tools and coding” and UNESCO reported women account for just 22 per cent of AI professionals worldwide.

'Change the numbers'

She said the answer is “taking the numbers and awareness generated by moments in time, such as International Women’s Day and empowering women to change the numbers, not just know them”.

“Beyond celebration and awareness and coming together to decide to focus on one area, we must build the skills in women which allow them to be seen, to be heard, to persuade, to engage, to inform – to influence, instigate and agitate change.

“The focus on AI is welcome – AI is an accelerant; what works and what doesn’t work will be amplified if we are not aware of the inherent bias and under-representation in the foundational structure of societal, economic and political landscapes.

“AI algorithms are designed to learn from existing data, and if the data is biased, the algorithms will be biased too. This can lead to gender discrimination in decision-making processes such as hiring, lending, and policing.

Develop skills

“It is no longer enough for women to know they must show up. 

“We have to work with them to develop the skills of persuasion and influence so that every single woman who chooses to step into the field of play has the real and practical skills to make a difference – not just fill a seat or a quota.”

Jacqueline said women need to be able to communicate their ideas effectively in a world that is dominated by technology.

“This requires the development of sophisticated communication skills, such as clear and concise messaging, critical thinking, and effective storytelling,” she said.

“It is also essential to learn how to build relationships and networks, how to negotiate, and how to advocate for oneself and others.

Valuable asset

“These skills are not just important for women in technology and AI industries, but for all women who want to make an impact in their personal and professional lives.

“The ability to communicate effectively and influence others is a valuable asset in any field and it is particularly critical for women who face systemic barriers and biases.”

Jacqueline holds the global designation of Certified Speaking Professional, Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming and an Advanced Hypnotherapist.

She works across Australia and the US “teaching others how to reposition themselves through the power of language”.

Jacqueline has appeared in the media more than 3000 times, spoken on global stages and delivered keynote speeches and more than 180 workshops.

Friday’s Inspiring Women’s Lunch at Eatons Hill Hotel is sold out.