"It wasn’t sympathy that got me elected but ability," says Bermuda Premier Paula A. Cox
Insurance, like global politics, is still man’s world. Back in February, we ran a cover story about the hurdles and opportunities that exist for women in risk management and insurance.
With this in mind, I asked Bermuda Premier Paula A. Cox for her thoughts on the matter during our interview at RIMS 2011 Vancouver. Space concerns in our July/August issue didn’t allow for the entire conversation to make it into the “View From Bermuda” Q&A in print, so below are her thoughts on the role of women in government and business.
Risk Management Monitor: As a woman who has been successful in government and business, have you ever had to face challenges because of your gender? How were you able to overcome them?
Paula Cox: There are still too many boardrooms, when you look at the board of directors, where there are far fewer women who sit around the boardroom table. I don’t think that that is an indication that there is a lack of skill and ability among women.
I think that people are accustomed to doing business with those they feel comfortable with, and if a woman hasn’t made herself proficient on the golf course, perhaps she’s not necessarily going to get in the frame where some of the decision-making occurs. So I think it is [important] to try and demystify and debunk the myths that women aren’t capable or able to deal with the issues as are their male counterparts.
From a political perspective, there is a certain inherent chauvinism in politics worldwide. It is not unique in that regard. But the majority of the electorate and the thinking voters are women, and I think that it is going to be ability and sensitivity to the issues that get you elected.
That’s what occurred in October [in Bermuda] in terms of internal elections. I was the only female candidate, and I can assure you that it wasn’t sympathy that got me elected but ability. From my perspective, to be successful as a leader, my job is to do my job and not worry about keeping my job. That’s not my focus. There could be 20,000 people coming behind me who want to be a leader. That’s not my issue. My issue is to do my job.
I think you have to know why you want the job. I certainly don’t want it for glamour and style or for the money because none of those would be delivered by the role. It’s because I want to make Bermuda a better place, and it requires nothing more than hard work and having a team that is prepared to work with you.
You give me those skills and my gender is really irrelevant.
Absolutely right on target.
Real brain power on display. Thanks for that aswner!