- As Leadership Coach Millicent Clarke tasks women on mental resilience, self-care, others
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Ghana (WiSTEMGh), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has actively empowered participants to redefine leadership concepts and attain success in their personal and professional endeavours.
This is all thanks to a transformative two-day capacity-building workshop titled “Strategies to Win at Both Life and Career,” which took place in Kumasi, Ghana, featuring an inspiring keynote by renowned Leadership and Personal Development Coach, Mrs. Millicent Clarke.
In her presentation on “Redefining Your Power: Practical Leadership for Women,” Mrs. Clarke drew upon her extensive experience mentoring women throughout Africa to lead participants through engaging sessions focused on self-awareness, strategic goal-setting, and sustainable leadership.
Clarke, who is a retired Regional Head of HR for Standard Chartered Bank – Middle East, and member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), emphasized the importance of embracing authenticity, assertiveness, and emotional intelligence as fundamental strengths in effective leadership.
According to her, “We must unlearn the idea that we need permission to lead”, adding, “Leadership starts with clarity of purpose, and it grows through consistency and confidence.”
While also stressing the importance of mental resilience and self-care, especially for women balancing multiple responsibilities, the Leadership Coach noted, “Burnout is real. But prioritising your well-being is not selfish, it’s strategic”.
Clarke, who deployed real-life case studies and interactive activities, explained how women can build influence in male-dominated spaces without compromising their values.
In addressing the prevalent challenges faced by working women, including hustle culture, unrealistic expectations, and constant connectivity, she emphasizes an important perspective, saying: “The most successful individuals are not necessarily the busiest; rather, they are the ones who concentrate on what genuinely matters.
Importantly, she advocates for a shift in mindset, urging individuals to “Stop trying to do more; and start focusing on getting the right things done.”
On the realities of opportunity cost in the pursuit of a high-performance life, Mrs Clarke said, “If you can’t integrate both work and life, be wholly present in whatever you choose to do.”
Also describing mentorship as a powerful relationship with someone who has walked the path before and can guide one’s journey, the personal development Coach said, “Mentorship isn’t about hierarchy. It’s about support, self-awareness, confidence, and career growth.”
Also speaking at the Forum, Chairperson of WiSTEMGh at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Ibok Nsa Oduro, charged the Workshop participants to perceive their engagement with WiSTEMGh as a significant and transformative opportunity in their personal and professional lives.
Inspiring them to take immediate action, Prof Oduro, a former Provost of the College of Science at KNUST and the first female Provost in the University, said, “If you don’t see this as a calling, you won’t do what you’re supposed to do. You are an embodiment of inspiration. Your community needs you.”
For her, the significance of unity and mutual support among members is paramount, and it is essential for participants to remain engaged beyond the confines of institutional boundaries.
Further sharing her leadership journey experience, the Professor of Postharvest Technology described a recent conversation with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo about gender issues as an example of purpose-driven outreach.
Overall, participants at the two-day event engaged in breakout sessions that addressed real-life challenges, mentor-mentee dynamics, and the essential qualities of both roles.
Additionally, issues around how to identify and nurture successful mentorship relationships were also addressed at the Forum.
