INSIGHTS AND STORIES FROM OUR COLLEAGUES

A conversation with Nadia Clinckspoor

Unlike most female colleagues, Nadia became a mother when she was already a partner in our organisation. So she never experienced in the same way the challenging confrontation between building your career on the one hand and starting a family on the other. Motherhood gave her all the more respect for young women who do have to combine both goals.

As a female partner at Grant Thornton, she has a clear vision on the subject that is very close to her heart. We had an interesting conversation.

Your career didn't start at Grant Thornton. Who have you been inspired by throughout your career?

Nadia: "I have met a lot of exceptional women throughout my career. I don't have a single role model. When I was 23, my career started at one of the big4 companies. There, I was guided by one of the few female partners, a lady with enormous qualities. However, times were still different then. Female leadership evolved enormously later on. I also find strong business leaders, such as Ilham Kadri or Saskia Van Uffelen, particularly inspiring. A woman's vision has always interested me. Also within our own organisation, I have been inspired by Ria Verheyen. She has led in a very constructive and inclusive way during her term as managing partner. Her way of communicating, in the right tone, encouraging input and making decisions together, these qualities set her apart from her predecessors. I really appreciated that."

Did you experience any opposition as a woman?

Nadia: "I never experienced any discrimination because I am a woman. Actually, I used to be the one who put extra pressure on myself. For a long time, I was of the opinion that I had to prove myself more because I am a woman. A blatant mistake, I now know."

How does Grant Thornton support a woman's career?

Nadia: "At Grant Thornton, we embrace the principle of 'Dare & Care'. This duality really appeals to me. I believe in the power of encouraging people, stimulating them to dare things, boosting their self-confidence, lifting them up, but at the same time also supporting them, giving them space and time when, for example, they are going through a difficult period, respecting that too and giving them opportunities in the long term. This combination is important in a career with women, but equally important for our male colleagues. As leaders within the firm, we have the responsibility to provide that dynamic in both directions."

#InspireInclusion is this year's International Women's Day theme. What does it mean to you?

Nadia: "Everyone is entitled to authenticity, whether it is about your personality, gender, orientation, ... When building a team, a company, a partnership, it is important that all these differences are present, at all levels. This should be a focus in recruitment. We have to make sure that it is not always the same profiles that grow with us. After all, that diversity stimulates innovation and ensures that effects of the decisions taken around the table have been assessed from various perspectives thereby increasing their success rate."

Finally, what advice would you give to our future female leaders?

Nadia: "Believe in yourself, and stay authentic. And accept that sometimes you may slow down, because of a particular situation or a difficult period in your life. But above all, don't give up on your long-term goals when times are tough but always stay true to your dreams and ambitions."