Talks
When we speak the truth we no longer need to apologise for who we are.
Listen to all the Becoming recorded talks and webinars helping women on their journey to lead unapologetic lives.
Leading unapologetically
Amy Rowlinson, the podcast host of Focus on Why explores the underlying basis for the vertical development work that Liz Walker and Dr. Alison Maitland do at Becoming International.
They unpick how a Becoming leadership programme is very different to most of the programmes Liz and Alison have been part of. The concept of vertical development underpins this and they delve deeper into why they help leaders to look inside, why this is important for individual and organisational success, and the impact that vertical development has going forward.
The Journey of Women in Leadership
In this enlightening podcast, Dr. Alison Maitland, Consulting Director at Becoming International and Jason Smith, AVP of Knolskape explore the landscape of leadership, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women leaders.
The impact of societal and organisational contexts on leadership journeys, the persistent gender pay gap, and the hidden biases that women encounter in the workplace are unpicked. Alison blows away some myths. She emphasises the importance of equipping women to embrace their authentic selves; along with the need for organisations to dismantle systemic barriers. The conversation also touches on the role of language, the influence of the pandemic, and the significance of supportive networks in fostering women’s leadership.
Women in Leadership - IWD 2025
To mark International Women’s Day 2025, founder and director Liz Walker had a conversation with Contextual Consulting.
Liz shares how our underpinning foundation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) differentiates our work with women in leadership.
Unjudged - A story of MS - Lea Young
In February 2018, Lea fell over, and her life changed. At the age of 39 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – a lifelong and unpredictable condition that has an impact on all areas of her life.
Lea tells her story of learning to live with MS, from the initial grief for the life she felt she was losing, to the hope of getting pregnant, to the acceptance of who she is today. Lea’s no-holds-barred story is thought-provoking and challenges our thinking on what it means to have a disability at work.
What might Lea’s story provoke for you?
Drop the Struggle book
Dr Alison Maitland and Jenna Ashford talk with Psychologist Dan Abrahams about their recent book Drop the Struggle. Drawing on the Acceptance and Commitment approach used at Becoming International, they explore what this means for performance and wellbeing in sport and in leadership.
Imposter syndrome
Dr Alison Maitland talks with Women in Utilities Network Co-Founder Hayley Monks about Imposter Syndrome. Alison shares her thoughts on why Imposter Syndrome is not actually a syndrome (it’s more accurately imposter phenomenon) and how we might look at things differently.
Meet your inner mentor
“You’re not good enough”; “You’ll never achieve that”; “Don’t even bother trying!” We’re all used to hearing the voice of our inner critic and all the negative things that it says about us and our potential. But what if we could summon up an inner mentor, to offer some perspective, some counterbalance and some inspiration?
Mentoring is widely-recognised as critical for professional development. Women, in particular, are encouraged to find mentors who will offer advice and provide support and sponsorship through their careers. And this is indeed often very valuable. But, is it also slightly disempowering? Is it teaching us to reach out to others for guidance when actually we have the resources within?
Here are a couple of clips from a session we ran for the brilliant Women in Banking and Finance network, where we explored the inner resources we have to act as our own mentor and the voice inside that can guide and support us.
Not just a victim
Women find themselves on the receiving end of bullying and harassment more often than you’d expect. In this 1 hour webinar, in collaboration with Speak Out Revolution we provide some tools for anyone who has been a target of workplace bullying and harassment, so they can exercise their agency, power and choice. And if that’s you, we want you to know you are not just a victim.
Unjudged - A story of gender transition, Cynthia Fortlage
Cynthia Fortlage is an international award-winning LGBT+ executive, entrepreneur, and board leader. In 2016 she came to terms with a 46-year denial of her gender identity. She is now the founder and CEO of CAF Services, providing Gender Identity coaching for Women & 2SLGBTQIA+ persons and supporting helping individuals and organisations address gender diversity issues.
Cynthia spoke with us about her experiences as a transgender woman, with the aim of helping us to build our acceptance through a deeper understanding of her individual experience.
Register your interest in the Becoming Journey today.
Becoming is a journey. We will walk it with you. Get in touch to find out more.
