International Women's Day: Georgie Dickins shares her leadership story

Enterprise
A headshot of Georgie Dickens. She is wearing a pink shirt with a white colar and she is smiling at the camera. The background is white and her image is centred in a grey circle.

To honour International Women’s Day, we spoke with alumna Georgie Dickins (European Business 2001) who discussed her career in leadership.

Georgie Dickins is an internationally recognised leadership expert, coach, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Cajetan Group. Georgie is also the founder of Women in Leadership Global, a peer network for female leaders in financial services. She empowers CEOs, leaders, and professionals through personalised coaching, mastermind groups, and leadership programmes. Georgie shares her insights at global events, including Nasdaq, NYSE TV, J.P. Morgan, and her recent TEDx talk. She has authored award-winning books, such as Stratospheric CEOs and Women in Leadership: 500 Lessons to Our Younger Selves. 

Georgie shares her perspective on what the day means to her, particularly in the context of leadership. She says: 

"International Women’s Day is a powerful moment to reflect, celebrate, and challenge. It’s about recognising the extraordinary impact of women in leadership - those who have paved the way and those who are rising to lead the future.” 

She adds:  

“The world is in a highly unpredictable and volatile place right now and research shows us the benefit of diverse teams. For me I want to do my part in advancing the face of leadership and also helping others unlock their potential too.” 

Georgie explains how her approach to leadership has evolved over time, particularly in relation to gender equality and guiding senior executives in leading diverse teams. 

She said: “My approach to leadership has evolved from simply advocating for diversity to actively ensuring inclusion is demonstrated in action. Early in my career, I saw diversity as a numbers game—ensuring representation at the table. Over time, I’ve come to understand that true leadership isn’t just about who is present, but how voices are heard, how decisions are shaped, and how cultures evolve to support diverse talent in meaningful ways.” 

Georgie offers advice to women aspiring to leadership roles, especially in complex and fast-paced environments:  

  1. “Don’t wait to feel ready for the next promotion or stretch assignment. Lean into the discomfort and make the ask.”
  2. “Be your own cheerleader. The corporate world is not a meritocracy. When it comes to evaluations and feedback, your leaders don’t know what they don’t know. Don’t be the best kept secret in the room and remember, when you talk about your accomplishments, it’s not bragging if it’s true.”
  3. “Invest in building relationship currency. In the world of busyness, people can focus solely on their KPI’s and objectives, which is important, but nobody moves upwards and onwards in their careers without the help and support of others. Success isn’t just about capability, it is also about influence, so cultivate good relationships.”
  4. The most important relationship you have is with yourself and often the most neglected. All good leadership starts with self-leadership.” 

Georgie reflects on some of the key challenges women face when rising through leadership roles. She offers advice on how to navigate them effectively: 

"Women often default to saying yes - overcommitting, overextending, and ultimately, exhausting themselves. As natural people pleasers, we take on more than we should, often at the expense of our own priorities. I regularly remind people that no is a choice and yes is a commitment of time, energy, and focus.  

“Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. It is important to embrace the power of the pause. Before saying yes, take a breath – have I actually got capacity to do this? Can only I do this task? A well-placed no isn’t a missed opportunity; it’s a strategic choice that protects your impact, your well-being, and your ability to show up fully where it truly matters.”  

One of the most powerful moments she experienced as a woman in her professional life was when she made the decision to set up her own business and leave the corporate world. She said: 

“It was a calculated risk leaving a corporate role after 20 years where I had reputational capital and job security. I held back from leaving for many years, as I let fear take the driving seat and I listened to the inner critic voice that told me it wouldn’t work out.  

“I now choose to see fear as Feel Everything And Rise. I have honestly never looked back. There is a big difference between a decision being scary and a decision being dangerous and if something feels scary, it tells me I am on the right path and growing.” 

For more information on upcoming events and ways to get involved, visit Loughborough University’s International Women’s Day page. You can also become a member of the Loughborough Alumni Women’s Network.