I've been thinking about this a lot lately…
One thing I've come to appreciate is working with women who genuinely want to see other women succeed. The kind of people who make space for your ideas. Who encourage you to speak up. Who celebrate your wins instead of competing with you. You leave those conversations feeling a little more confident than before. It also made me realise how much confidence depends on the environment you're in.
And I feel genuinely lucky that, right now, I get to work in a place where I can feel that difference every day. Where I feel supported, listened to, and a little more confident in my own voice because of the people around me.
In some workplaces, certain voices naturally carry more weight. I don't think it's always done on purpose, which is probably why it often goes unnoticed. But over time, it can make some people question whether their ideas are worth sharing in the first place.
I've also worked with plenty of men who do the opposite. They listen, they're curious, and they make sure everyone has a chance to contribute. Those are the people I enjoy working with the most.
I guess that's what good culture looks like to me.
Not a place where the loudest person wins, but a place where people leave feeling like their voice mattered.