International Women’s Day: Give to gain

We recently brought together female professionals from across a range of industries for an International Women’s Day breakfast exploring this year’s theme: Give to Gain.

The theme strongly resonated with attendees, who reflected on the impact of supporting others, giving back to their communities and lifting women as they progress in their careers.

Why businesses that give to their communities gain more in return

For many participants, community engagement is not just a corporate responsibility exercise. It is a way to build stronger teams, inspire employees and create a culture people are proud to be part of. Several business leaders described how supporting charities, schools and local initiatives had brought unexpected benefits, both professionally and personally. 

One attendee shared how volunteering as a school governor expanded her perspective.

“I wanted to give something back, but I’ve gained so much in terms of personal growth, patience and new skills.” 

Others discussed how charitable work can unite organisations. One business described how a fundraising effort initially set up to support a colleague affected by tragedy evolved into a wider programme embraced by the whole team.

“People shared their own stories and suddenly everyone wanted to be involved.” 

What followed was a series of companywide fundraising events, from dragon boat racing to community festivals, which not only raised significant funds but also strengthened internal relationships. 

Another participant highlighted the emotional impact of meeting the people their fundraising had helped.

“As a business owner, seeing what you’ve done for someone is more rewarding than winning a new contract.” 

Many organisations now actively build charitable involvement into their workplace cultures, finding that employees feel more connected to their colleagues and more engaged with their work. For businesses with multiple locations, shared community projects can also bring teams together who might rarely interact. 

Local engagement also strengthens customer and community relationships. One participant shared how her company chose to support a struggling boxing club. 

“If we can help keep children off the streets and doing something positive, why wouldn’t we?” 

This not only revitalised the club but also deepened the organisation’s ties with its local area. Participants agreed that when businesses give with genuine purpose, the benefits ripple far beyond the immediate cause.

Mentors, moments and the power of women supporting women

Many attendees credited their career progress to people who had taken a chance on them. Mentorship – both formal and informal – was a recurring theme.

“People have given me opportunities throughout my career. That’s how I’ve grown,” one participant said. 

Supporting junior colleagues was widely described as one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. At the same time, organisations increasingly recognise the value of reverse mentoring, where junior employees share insights with senior leaders, helping to broaden perspectives and challenge assumptions. 

Confidence also featured strongly in the discussion. Some participants acknowledged experiencing imposter syndrome at times, while others preferred to reinterpret those moments positively. 

“I don’t think of it as imposter syndrome. I have ‘pinchme moments’ where I think, ‘Wow, I’m really here doing this.’”

A key message was the importance of asking for opportunities rather than waiting to be invited. 

“Sometimes opportunities are there, but we’re not asking for them,” one attendee noted.

Authenticity emerged as another powerful theme. Several women reflected on the pressure they once felt to fit into male dominated environments.

“I tried to be part of the boys’ club, but it wasn’t me. Once I started being myself, everything changed.”

Strong support networks from mentors to colleagues to friends were described as essential. As one participant put it:

“Sometimes all it takes is one person saying, ‘Why can’t you do that?’”

Starting and growing a business: Lessons from female founders

Female founders at the event shared honest reflections on their entrepreneurial journeys. Many said their businesses began with a moment of necessity or opportunity rather than a perfect plan.

“We needed to change our situation, so we started a business. It wasn’t really a question.”

Trust, partnership and complementary strengths were highlighted as key to successful ventures. Several founders emphasised the importance of building systems and processes early on to support sustainable growth.

“At the beginning you do everything yourself. But if you want to grow, you need structure and people you can trust.” 

Delegation, resilience and self belief were identified as essential skills, along with the willingness to seize opportunities when they arise. Many founders also felt a responsibility to give back to others following in their footsteps.

“Someone gave us a chance, so we try to give people their first opportunity too.” 

Give to Gain: The shared message 

Across every conversation, one theme stood out: when women support each other and give back to their communities, everyone benefits. As one participant summarised.

“Sometimes all someone needs is a chance.” 

Find out more about International Women’s Day and this year’s theme #GiveToGain here.