Claire HayekFounder, Mind. Soul. Purpose (MSP) Teambuilding · Pressure-Proof Leadership | Neuroscience-based leadership

IF YOU'VE EVER FELT LIKE YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THIS IS FOR YOU!

7 Mar 2024 · 1 min

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1:23

In this motivational YouTube video, Claire Hayek recounts her experience as the sole female junior engineer working in a gold‑mine crushing plant during the 1990s. She describes feeling vulnerable due to her gender, stature, and inexperience amid physically demanding, male‑dominated work. The turning point comes when her supervisor and teammates provide equal training, respect, and trust, allowing her to perform the same tasks as her male colleagues without special treatment. This experience illustrates the transformative power of an inclusive, supportive workplace. Hayek uses her story to challenge viewers to become an influential, inclusive force for others, asking them to consider concrete actions they can take today to change someone’s life.

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Back in the '90s, as a junior engineer, and I was the only woman actually working in a gold mine's crushing plant, I faced a huge challenge. I was surrounded by machinery, night shifts, and of course the physical demands of a job that is traditionally held by men. Let's be honest. Well, I was very vulnerable. There I was, 5'3, young woman, inexperienced, and trying just to, to keep up, right? And then my experience went from doubt to empowerment when my team and my supervisor trained me, respected me, and treated me as their equal. When it was time for me to do these physical demanding tasks, they trusted me that I would, I would be able to do it. There was no special treatment. This taught me the true power of inclusivity and the support at the workplace. And the reason why I'm taking the time to share this with you is that it's proof that a supportive environment, an inclusive environment, can do miracles. So, and this is of course treating people regardless of their gender or their stature. So this is kind of an encouragement to embrace inclusivity at the workplace. And I just want to challenge you and ask you, think of how you could be an influential force in someone's life. How will you change someone's life today? What is that move? What can you do to make a difference?