RISING STARS BLOG: Monique Green
In the last of our Rising Stars blogs this week, candidate Monique Green writes about the importance of championing and celebrating diversity
I am a real fan of inspirational quotes so I will start with one of my all-time favourites, by Nelson Mandela who said, “as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”, for me this is what Rising Stars is all about, winning wouldn’t just be for me, it would be an opportunity to give something back.
So, after getting over the initial shock and allowing that to turn into excitement, there are quite a few things I’d like to do in my year as Rising Star, a majority of which would be centred around a cause that is close to my heart: diversity and inclusion and how important this is in moving the housing sector forward.
Over the last year I have taken a number of steps to do my bit to make the sector more diverse: joining a board, volunteering to mentor with Housing Diversity Network, being an ambassador for an annual housing event specifically for future leaders and writing for Inside Housing about its Inclusive Futures campaign. I’ve also completed my housing diploma and gained chartered status with the Chartered Institute of Housing, it’s been a busy year!
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Winning Rising Stars would give me a platform to build on all I have achieved this year.
I want to continue to do my bit to champion and celebrate diversity in all its forms (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, religion and belief and sexuality), to really sell the benefits diversity brings to the sector and help to remove some of the fear that leaders often feel when thinking about and trying to address diversity issues.
I have recently learned just how important storytelling is in getting a message across and inspiring change, so I would like to keep telling mine in the hope that it will inspire others to do the same.
“I would really like to encourage sector leaders to commit to setting meaningful diversity targets.”
Whether that story is getting over imposter syndrome or learning that it is OK to bring my whole self into the workplace without feeling that I need to leave parts of who I am at the door, it is these stories that will help remove the fear and replace it with understanding, they will break down barriers and make the sector a more inclusive place; I really want to be a part of making that happen.
As I am a firm believer in personal and professional development, I would also be keen to use this platform to work with leaders and training providers to develop a structured training programme that aims to address the internal and external barriers many face when trying to progress their careers.
I would be looking to tailor this programme to work with frontline staff and junior managers, it is clear that this is often where the glass ceiling lies for those with diverse backgrounds as they are often over-represented in the more junior roles within an organisation.
We already have some great programmes aimed at senior managers but it would be great to expand on this so that when senior managers step up, junior managers and frontline staff are equipped and ready to take their place.
“I would be keen to develop a structured training programme that aims to address the internal and external barriers many face when trying to progress their careers.”
In support of this I would really like to encourage sector leaders to commit to setting meaningful diversity targets, how great would it be if the sector was able to do this willingly rather than rely on external pressures such as the old diversity Key Lines of Enquiry? We would be setting a standard in which other sectors could follow, once again proving our commitment to creating a society in which everyone has fair access to opportunity.
In terms of my own personal development, I would make good use of the mentoring that would be on offer.
Having been a mentor and a mentee, I know just how powerful this relationship can be – I’d be looking to make the most of their experiences to fine tune my career path.
Above all else, I would be 100% committed to making the most of all the opportunities that came my way in my year as Rising Star, so I’ll probably need a time turner to fit it all in!
Monique Green, housing services manager, Yarrow Housing
