Celebrating Women’s History Month: Amplifying Women’s Voices at Pavion Part 3
The final episode of Pavion’s three-part podcast series celebrating Women’s History Month provided a wealth of insights on empowering women within the security industry. The series brought together women within Pavion, fostering conversations around overcoming professional challenges and driving impactful change. In this blog, we’ll delve into the highlights from the final episode, featuring Laura Armour, Inside Sales Manager for the West, and Susan Post, Chief Integration Strategy Officer at Pavion.
The Importance of Diversity in Security
The discussion illustrated the changing landscape of the security industry. It’s now more diverse, with more women assuming leadership roles than in previous years. Armour and Post emphasized their joy in witnessing this trend, recalling their early careers when they were often the only women in the room.
They agree that having more women in security leadership has led to diverse perspectives, enhancing decision-making and implementation processes. These shifts not only amplify women’s voices but also contribute to more comprehensive and effective security solutions. Armour vividly painted a picture: it’s not just the excitement of being the only woman in the room that counts—what truly elates her is when there are multiple women at the table participating in the vital discussions and decisions.
The Role of Grace and Kindness
In their conversation, the theme of grace and kindness repeatedly surfaced. Post reminded us that everyone is human, undergoing unique challenges, and deserves to be treated with dignity. Armour echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining empathy throughout professional interactions. In the face of disagreements and stress, they advocated for maintaining an assumption of positive intent and to nurture relationships rooted in understanding and compassion.
Inspiring—and Inspiring Each Other
The speakers discussed the influence and legacy of women both in history and in their daily lives. Armour cited the impactful work of Maya Angelou, whose story represents resilience and incorporative talents. Post recalled the positive effects of working with a woman leader, Tracy Long, whose mentorship significantly impacted her. Both women thus underscored the importance of learning from others’ journeys and using their contributions as a springboard for personal and professional growth.
Encouraging Women’s Influence
According to Armour and Post, fostering a culture that encourages women’s influence is critical. They revealed the changes they have noticed across their careers, including an increase in the comfort and confidence women feel in expressing their opinions—a critical component of influence. However, they acknowledged that gender bias persists, emphasizing the need for supportive conversations and active mentoring to help women navigate through these challenges.
For long-term change, Armor and Post recommend a strategic approach emphasizing kindness, grace, mentorship, and the creation of conducive environments to foster women’s growth and influence in the industry. Guided by their insights, as well as Pavion’s mission to transform safety, security, and communication through technology innovation, progress is not just an aspiration—it’s a certain reality.
