AustCham Thailand, Kungthai-AXA and Australian Embassy, Thailand
promote gender equality and women in leadership
on this year International Women’s Day
8 March 2021
AustCham’s Women in Leadership Committee in collaboration with Krungthai-AXA and Australian Embassy, Thailand marks International Women’s Day with the launch of Walk the Talk (WTT) - a program of outdoor walking events connecting emerging female leaders with established professionals, to develop leadership potential through mentoring.
Globally, women can face a range of challenges over the course of their career including work-life balance, cultural and family expectations, unconscious bias and office behaviours.
But its long been proven that a diverse and inclusive workplace is best-geared for success. A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion can build trust and improve organisation culture, employee engagement and retention. Diverse businesses are also likely to demonstrate better communication and be more innovative.
Creating a strong and diverse pipeline of capable leaders is critical to future business success.
Walk the Talk brings together senior professionals in Thailand to mentor emerging female leaders and business owners, supporting them to explore their own career path. As role models, Mentors help to inspire confidence and leadership capability by sharing their own stories and strategies for success.
The inaugural WTT event was hosted by the Australian Embassy, where a group of forty-five mentors and mentees were welcomed by Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Allan McKinnon.
“Walk the Talk creates a place outside the office for women to discuss their ambitions, and build confidence and capability. I’m delighted that Austcham and its member companies are getting right behind this initiative. We know mentoring is a proven strategy for organisations to grow the capability of their people, and enhance productivity, innovation and performance.”
Small groups of one mentor and 2-3 mentees then set off for a walk around Lumphini Park, providing mentees the opportunity to hear from seasoned professionals, as they took in the morning air and got up their step-count.
Groups were seen actively engaged in a range of discussions on career goal-setting, personal brand development, entrepreneurship, building confidence in the board-room, and more.
As one mentee remarked “this was the perfect experience to bring you together with established men and women leaders in our community. It was an invaluable chance to get advice, perspective and honest feedback from a seasoned professional”.
Participants were rewarded with a breakfast on return to the Embassy, and the chance to network amongst the WTT network and broader embassy community network.
Austcham’s Women in Leadership Committee started this program to create opportunities for female professional development, collaboration and networking among emerging and established women leaders in Bangkok.
Click here for Thai version