International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerating action

In the workplace, women often face unique challenges. While men and women are equally capable, societal expectations, organisational experiences, and life events such as menopause, fertility, and family responsibilities can create different outcomes for women. In honour of International Women’s Day 2025 (8th March 2025) and the theme for this year being ‘accelerate action’ we had a chat with coach and facilitator Liz Walker for a short interview. Liz discusses her work with ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles in the workplace and how they can be used to support women to lead and live authentically. She is also joining us later this year for an online workshop – Developing women leaders with ACT, learn how to help women thrive by using an acceptance and commitment approach to leadership development

Are women different from men?

The answer lies not in capability but in experiences. Women encounter societal gender assumptions, organisational barriers, and the “double bind” – a social phenomenon where women are often seen as either competent or likeable, but rarely both. These cumulative factors contribute to outcomes like the gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. While progress for women in the workplace has been slow (and in some cases has regressed) ACT can offer a different and empowering approach. By equipping women with the tools to navigate challenges, embrace their values, and act authentically, we hope to create lasting change.

What makes ACT different from other women’s development programmes?

Traditional women’s development programmes often send the implicit message that women need to be “fixed.” Suggestions to be “more assertive” or “more influential” might imply that women are somehow less than their male counterparts. Similarly, concepts like “imposter syndrome” – a term often applied to women – can feel reductive and disempowering. Instead we should argue that having self-doubt or “imposter thoughts” is not a syndrome or a disorder but a normal part of the human experience, one that affects men and women alike.

So, how can ACT help?

At its core, ACT supports individuals in accepting their thoughts and feelings, staying present, and taking action aligned with their core values. Instead of prescribing a specific leadership style, we would encourage women to explore what matters most to them and to lead in a way that feels authentic and true to their values.

A practical example

A great example is working with the “inner critic.” This involves noticing and naming the critical thoughts that often arise, rather than battling against them. In the video, Liz shares the story of a woman who had personified her inner critic as a monkey on her shoulder, throwing it across the room in an effort to rid herself of self-doubt. However, with ACT, Liz introduced a new approach: recognising that thoughts and feelings are like clouds in the sky – they come and go, and we don’t need to control them. By noticing, naming, and “turning down the volume” of the inner critic, women can find a less exhausting and more sustainable way to manage self-critical thoughts.

Watch the interview here:

Ultimately, Liz’s message is clear: women are not the problem, and they don’t need to be “fixed.” Instead, they need support to navigate the unique challenges they face, so they can lead authentically and unapologetically. Through ACT, Liz is helping women to take meaningful, values-driven action in their lives and careers. Learn how to bring this into your own coaching and therapy practices by joining Liz and her colleague Dr Alison Maitland for Developing women leaders with ACT this July.

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