Robert Baker plays an active role in the leadership of women's networks for many years and supported women in Mercer, the company he worked in for 40 years. He is now running his own business advising companies on how their leaders, especially men, can become allies. He believes that gender equality benefits men as well as women, but understands that we are far from gender equality at the current time. He also believes the workplaces would be better for all if we had fair representation for women throughout the organisation and certainly in leadership. He says gender equality begins at home and has played an active role as father of his two children sharing the domestic and caring responsibilities.
Robert Baker
"The advice I would like to give to other men? Understand your biases and privilege. Listen to the voice of women and other underrepresented groups. Get involved and engaged in the mentoring and sponsorship of women. "
What makes you a male ally?
I don't dare call myself a male ally, but the women I support refer to me as one. I actively support women through my DEI work and in engaging and encouraging other men to become allies. I also play an active role on the Boards of UN Women UK and European Women on Boards.
Why would our world be a better place if women and men had equal rights and opportunities?
By pushing for women to have an equal voice and representation in politics, education, business and wider society, we are seeking to include the incredible thinking and different ideas and perspectives that women can contribute. This would ensure that our world and all of us humans in it benefit from greater fairness, safety and happiness.
Why does the real estate industry need more women in leadership?
The real estate industry and many sectors in business are missing the huge potential that would be realised if we had fairer representation of women in leadership. Women bring different skills, perspectives and strong emotional intelligence to leadership. Gender balance in leadership benefits everyone.
What actions can companies take to address this?
Companies can introduce women's leadership programmes, to train more women in leadership and also run programmes for men to understand why we need to take positive action to hire and retain more women. Companies also need to ensure that policies support women eg sponsorship, good maternity leave and returner benefits, paternity leave for men. Introducing allyship training for men will also have a positive impact.
What can politics and society do?
Politics and society can ensure that women have an equal voice by increasing the representation of women in decision making bodies and governments.
And what about each individual?
Each of us has a responsibility to be aware of our privileges and biases and to be curious about the lived and work experiences of others different to us. We then have to use what power and privilege we have to support those with less.
What are you doing about it, specifically, both professionally and privately?
I am very actively running training programmes for men as allies, I am on the Board of several women's networks and I play an active role in the domestic responsibilities at home.
When did you realize that we need more women in leadership? Was there a personal key moment?
Yes, when I was in a consulting firm which had few women in leadership. I helped set up the women's network in that company to address that situation.
The path to more diversity in leadership can only be achieved together. How can we get men on board?
We need to make it clear to men that gender equality benefits them to both personally and as potential leaders.
What advice or thought would you, as a male ally, like to give to other men?
Understand your biases and privilege. Listen to the voice of women and other underrepresented groups. Get involved and engaged in the mentoring and sponsorship of women.
Women you are a fan of:
Gloria Steinem, Maya Angelou, Bell hooks, Amy Edmonson and Verna Myers.
Which woman would you like to be for a day?
Michelle Obama.
