WINGman special taskforce

Whilst WING has benefited from significant support from men in the geothermal industry, men are often times unsure of what they can do to support their female colleagues. Thus, the WINGmen Special Taskforce was created to provide a platform that engages men in the conversation around gender equality and gives them the tools to act to make meaningful change. These toolkits provide an understanding of the effects of unconscious bias, provides insights into current thinking around diversity, and provides tools and advice on how to better support their female colleagues.
The aim of the Taskforce is to provide the means to affect change of the gender status quo inside geothermal organisations. Through challenging the harmful, traditional perception of male and female roles, the Taskforce aims to eliminate gender stereotypes and encourages men to be role models, champions, and advocates of gender equality.
The Taskforce grows through training sessions given to men in geothermal organizations throughout the world. The main topics covered in the WINGman Special Taskforce include the importance of language, unconscious bias, impact of family, the safety experience, and company culture.

History

In 2017, and in partnership with Mercury (NZ), the first WINGman Special Taskforce was delivered. For two hours per month over 10 months, ~15 men from different levels, ages and areas of expertise gathered to test the initial tools of the Taskforce. These discussions were all delivered in an informal, open, and relaxed manner that encouraged discussion in a safe working environment. With both a male and female presenter running the workshop, both sides of the conversation and perceptions were provided.  Every member of the initial Taskforce group continues to be proud ‘super-advocates’ for gender equality, and while some have moved to other locations and industries, they actively lead and model behaviours that support their female colleagues.

In February 2019, the second Taskforce training began with another 15 men to continue to improve the conversations, awareness and tools to allow men to help overcome the present gender status quo.
Since then, the WING has received funding from the World Bank to bring the WST training to the global geothermal community, starting with the WINGman Special Taskforce – Train the Trainers session in El Salvador in December 2019. Where participants were trained to deliver WINGman Special Taskforce workshops in their home organisations and countries (El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Chile).

Impact

Taskforce training attendees are immediately engaged, challenging the perceived norms, participating in difficult conversations, and willing to implement proffered tools that encourage female inclusivity. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.

From the very first WST session, the work culture begins to change; women are included and listened to in conversations, they are  spoken over less in meetings, and their contributions are being more valued. Language in training manuals, reports, presentations and the like are changed, and inappropriate or unhelpful commentary is called out and spoken against.  The WINGmen actively seek ways to support and lift-up their female colleagues. Unprompted positive feedback is received from women inside the organisation. The everyday work culture is changed. This success breeds greater success, as others adopt and model the behaviours they see demonstrated by their colleagues.

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