Today, Wednesday 8th March, marks International Women's Day. As this year's theme is #EmbraceEquity, our CEO Jenny Share speaks about her experience as a woman representing our all-male community of monks living on-site.
What does your day-to-day job consist of as CEO of Ampleforth Abbey?
Jenny Share: "My job is mostly about shaping the work of the charitable trust which runs the day-to-day here at the Abbey and building a team which seeks to ensure a sustainable future for its monastic community. This involves setting direction with the Trustees and leading the implementation of that plan. Day to day I have a busy diary full of meetings – from formal Board meetings and weekly meetings with the senior team, to lots of one-to-one informal conversations".
Which parts of your job here do you enjoy most?
Jenny Share: "When I think about the big picture, what I really enjoy is working with the Abbot to try to bring greater understanding and closer working between the lay staff and monastic community. On the smaller scale, I have always been a “fixer” – I like things to work properly and harmoniously (my background is in governance), so I am at my happiest with a knotty and complicated problem to solve. It is so rewarding to stand back and look at how things have changed and realise that I have played a key part in making that happen. If I’m thinking about the overall experience of being here, what I enjoy the most is the sense of belonging. Lots of organisations say they have it, but you experience it in spades here".
Have you always aspired to work in an executive position or did you progress towards this naturally?
Jenny Share: "Before coming to Ampleforth I had a long career in university administration and management and progressed through the ranks quite quickly. I am not particularly ambitious or status conscious but have always worked hard and been very committed to my job. I have always worked in places where I really care about what the organisation is doing and for me this means that my job becomes an important part of my life. I like to think that my progression is a direct recognition of my contribution and feel grateful that my work has been valued over the years".
What has been your experience so far working with a monastic community, which is by definition all male?
Jenny Share: "I rarely think of the monastic community in terms of gender, although of course by necessity they are all male! When I first came to Ampleforth I didn’t know what to expect but what I found was an intelligent and thoughtful community who welcomed me, and the skills I brought, with open arms. I never felt I was considered a stranger or an outsider even though the new environment was very different for me and sometimes a little bewildering. I strive every day to better understand the life the monks have chosen so that I, through my leadership of the Trust, can support that. You might think in this position, I’d be a woman in a man’s world more than anywhere else but I’m still very much made feel part of the community, though I’m not a member of it".
Do you believe equity is embraced at Ampleforth Abbey?
Jenny Share: "I do. Outside the monastic community itself (which is by necessity all male), we have a great mix of staff – a good gender split and huge age and skills profile. We expect everyone to demonstrate Benedictine values at work which leads to a great sense of teamwork and real community which supports everyone. Since I first came here, the reception from the monastic community has been hugely welcoming, being very much received on a par and feeling that my contributions are valued. I must admit that I suspected managing these relationships might provide a challenge, but the reality has been very different. The monastic community here value each person for the skills they bring to help this place thrive and I’ve never felt that my gender has even been part of the equation for them".
If you could send a message to women this International Women’s Day, what would it be?
Jenny Share: "If you want to progress, choose your place of work carefully. Aim to go somewhere that is a good fit (you for it and it for you), work hard, try to be selfless and you will flourish. Some of the traits which have benefited me most in my career - such as being people-focused and able to bring others together around a common aim – are often seen in women, so I would hope that my experience can show others that you don’t have to change who you are to succeed".