The head of Corporate Services, Honeywell Group, Tomi Otudeko, while speaking on the bias women face in the workplace, urged companies to embrace the culture of equity.
In a recent interview to commemorate women’s month.
Otudeko explained the role leaders play in creating and embracing equity in the workplace while highlighting how her role at Honeywell Group contributes to the company’s stereotype-free and inclusive culture.
To her, “I occupy a privileged position of being able to pick my team and also set the tone for how our workplace is structured. This has enabled me to ensure we are able to give our women the flexibility to work while setting up structures in their personal lives to meet their other obligations – these are very important. I have been deliberate in ensuring the younger women in our team understand the opportunities available to them and are supported to aim high and embrace their uniqueness.”
According to the United Nations, a large gender gap remains in women’s access to decision-making and leadership.
However, Honeywell Group seems to be performing better with women making up a larger percentage of its leadership. She said: “leaders can create and embrace equity in the workplace by first creating a more diverse space, understanding the importance of equity and promoting it and bridging the wage gap. Leaders can also be proactive in addressing inequities in the workplace, such as pay disparities, under-representation of certain groups in leadership positions, and taking action to address any instances of bias or discrimination that are identified.”
For her, providing access to quality opportunities for women that will empower them to build sustainable lives is both a personal and corporate goal.
Tomi Otudeko is a seasoned programme delivery expert with expertise in operational excellence
Prior to joining Honeywell Group, she led the implementation of integration activities for First Bank of Nigeria across six African countries and was Head, International Banking Coordination for its International Business: coordinating the implementation of strategic initiatives, business development and group management activities across multiple regions.
Before joining the bank, she was an Investment Manager at Stanbic IBTC Asset Management and advised various individual and corporate clients on financial management and investments.
Tomi holds an LLB in Law from King’s College London and an MSc in Economics with Merit from the University of Manchester. She is a Prince2 (Practitioner) certified Project Manager, holds a Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Stanford University, and recently completed the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School. She is also a Trustee of the Serving With Love Foundation, a non-profit based in Lagos.
