UNIC: Tell us about your daily habits that keep you inspired and motivated.
Dee: Laughter to diffuse moments of tension/stress, interactions with trusted colleagues where we can share different perspectives and freely challenge each other...and of course, having access to lots of strong, milky tea that is properly made!
UNIC: What is great leadership in your opinion?
Dee: Leadership is both a huge and complex subject. Traditionally, leadership has been seen as a “command and control” phenomenon where the leader had all the answers and was considered better, stronger and more talented than the rest of the team; the stereotypical, superhero, powerful and authoritative leadership-figure, expected to inspire everyone by simply walking into a room. However, in today’s world where businesses are transforming at a rapid speed, new technologies and ways of working are disrupting the status quo and static hierarchical structures are disintegrating, the expectation that a leader can have all the answers is no longer realistic. Global, virtual and matrix teams demand very different forms of leadership. We spend a lot of time celebrating amazing things that can appear unachievable, while possibly devaluing the things that can be done on a daily basis, but which can exert great impact. Maybe our perception of leadership needs to be redefined by starting to recognise “everyday leadership”, which is dynamic, not status or power orientated and can exist within different levels of a modern organisation; as soon as individuals take responsibility for others at work, they shift from being an individual performer to a leader. In a world where virtual teams come together for specific periods of time to deliver common goals and then disband, such leadership can be defined as a “moment in time”- leadership is no longer static or one-dimensional.
UNIC: Looking back at your career journey so far, what are you most proud of?
Dee: At the top of my list is definitely the Vue experience, where I have been fortunate enough to be part of the team that created and went on to transform the Vue business from its original 35 UK cinemas in 2003, to today’s pan European business. Generally speaking, when I look back at my career, the achievements that have provided me with the strongest memories, personal growth and sense of achievement tend to be those that took me completely out of my comfort zone. As a result, I try to force myself not to shy away from these types of challenges and to positively seek them out.
UNIC: What were the most important leadership lessons that you learned while climbing the career ladder?
Dee: Be confident and believe in yourself. As we take on more complex and senior roles, the ability to deal with challenges that we may not have previously come across become more regular occurrences. This can be daunting when looking to take that significant next step in your career. It is also when that little voice, we sometimes hear in our heads, gets louder; trying to sabotage and convince you that you do not have what it takes to make the next step. IGNORE it and focus on the qualities and strengths that got you where you are today. Believe in them and your ability to take the next step.
UNIC: What have been the biggest challenges for you as a woman leader?
Dee: I recently came across this quote, which resonated and definitely provides food for thought:
To the women who are aggressive; keep being assertive.
To the women who are bossy; keep on leading.
To the women who are difficult; keep telling the truth.
To the women who are too much; keep taking up space.
To the women who are awkward; keep asking hard questions.
UNIC: Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently?
Dee: Not sure I would, or could have done anything differently. You learn, become wiser and add to your survival tool kit as a result of succeeding and failing when faced with each adversity that comes your way. At the time, when faced with difficult situations and/or people, they were wished away, but when looking back, it is clear that these experiences helped to shape who I am today. Without them, I may not have been as driven and equipped to push through those locked doors.
UNIC: What are the current challenges for companies when it comes to ensuring an inclusive culture and an inclusive leadership?
Dee: Creating a high performing culture includes critical areas such Diversity, Inclusion & Equity, driving the right behaviours, having the right skills in the right place at the right time and creating a safe, healthy, engaging work environment with a shared sense of purpose. Irrespective of organisational size, all of these challenges should be Board level accountabilities and levers that play a critical part in driving business performance. People strategies should be an integral part of the commercial agenda and treated equally as important as other big investments we make in areas such as concession stands and auditoriums. Ultimately, I would love to see people and cultural related topics being given the same airspace in industry trade magazines, digital content and at global industry-wide conferences/panels.
UNIC: You were a mentor in the pilot edition of the programme and have supported it ever since. Why do you think mentoring is important?
Dee: Whenever you ask people to describe what has had the biggest impact on their lives, most times, they recite stories that involve individuals who have influenced them at some point in their life. People we meet can have a lasting impact on us, both in a negative and positive way, which can ultimately contribute to the shaping of what and who we become. I totally support initiatives like the UNIC Leadership Programme as this creates an opportunity for talented women to come together in a safe environment, share experiences and learn from each other. It also provides an opportunity to meet inspirational female role models within our industry who have achieved amazing things and can have a positive influence on one’s thinking, as well as ultimately becoming part of a personal support network.
UNIC: What advice would you give to current mentors and mentees?
Dee: Enjoy the process and challenge each other in order to take yourselves out of your comfort zones. Change is the only constant, so be prepared for it! Ambiguity and complexity are the “new norm”, therefore, seek to understand and find a better way of doing things.