Even though women’s skills are much more recognized than they used to be, sometimes they still have to prove themselves to show their peers that they deserve their job.

Monique Leroux, the former president of the Mouvement Desjardins, who is sometimes met with skepticism, has advice for women. “We have two options. One who says, “I feel so bad and I’ll leave to do other things,” which really isn’t my style. Second, assume the role and deliver the goods to make sure you’re not just a snag in a quota box.

Now a Senior Advisor at Fiera Capital, a speaker at the Leadership Institute and a member of several boards, he believes that believing in yourself is essential to overcoming this uncomfortable situation in which women are victims of condescension.

“It’s hard at first, but you have to be able to qualify the general context to tell yourself how to complete the challenge to move on to the next stage,” she said. In order to build trust in others, one must fundamentally trust oneself. That confidence is reaffirmed with “feedback” and advice as you progress.

The role of the state

Monique Leroux emphasizes that a “real contribution” in an organization thus makes it possible to advance the cause of women and diversity.

She points to the great influence of the state on women’s access to senior positions in the business world. “There was leadership in the Quebec government that said they wanted to seek par for their state-owned companies. This also happens for succession and diversity. Crown Corporations had a major impact. »

She judges that this had a domino effect in the private sector. “If we can do that at the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec, why can’t we do it at a big company? We have a good impetus carried by large institutional players. Quebec leads the way compared to the rest of Canada. I am proud and very happy about it.”

However, Monique Leroux is aware that women are still underrepresented in certain areas. “There is still a long way to go in manufacturing and engineering, as well as in science, technology and mathematics. But the development is positive. Everything starts at school.”

have goals

Monique Leroux notes that women have come a long way since their beginnings as an accountant more than 40 years ago, when there were very few female role models. Pioneers have influenced the leadership style in organizations.

Anyone who acknowledges leadership issues argues that more diversity at the top of companies is crucial to success.

“Healthy advocacy helps companies see things more broadly and sustainably,” she says. This is obviously expressed in the diversity of genres, generations and cultural “backgrounds”, but also according to different profiles and experiences. It takes people who don’t all think the same way. »

In her opinion, all companies should have plans to strengthen pluralism at their top. These goals should be put on paper with concrete specifications.

Monique Leroux therefore believes that women have the skills and role models to take their rightful place.

“You must show ambition and boldness and act!”