The women moving up the career ladder

Gender is not an obstacle if one’s goal is to achieve professional success

How to increase the chances of success, how to achieve goals and fulfil dreams. These questions were discussed by the participants of the women’s club of AlES JSC at their regular meeting. This time they gathered at the WHC, continuing the tradition of constantly changing the location so that each of the production departments could be involved in the process.

The club meeting was addressed by Assel Arginbahyeva, Managing Director for Economics and Finance at JSC AlES, and Khegay Veronika, invited guest, PwC Academy Manager. And in general, the meeting was dedicated to the theme “Self-development: goals and results”.

The topic is relevant for everyone who is striving to move up the career ladder, who wants to improve their lives and achieve success. But, of course, there was also a purely female nuance at the meeting. Galina Gorbovskaya, Head of HR Department at CHPP-3, formulated this nuance: “The topic of today’s meeting was very interesting for me. As the head of the department, I wanted to find out how a female manager can live, work and study in a mostly male team. How to be, if your goal is achieved, and what’s next?

The question is not an idle one; in one way or another, women working in a predominantly male workplace face it. That is why the question provoked a lively discussion among the club participants.

Assel Amantayevna Arginbayeva’s speech inspired me with her practicality. To set achievable goals, achieve them, learn, work and achieve them again, that is the success of a woman, says Galina Gorbovskaya. – Perhaps, I still have something to strive for, something to learn. I need to devote more time to myself, take care of my health and beauty, and develop spiritually”.

The friendly exchange of opinions and the story about the way to reach the goal of Assel Arginbayeva, was interesting for her colleagues. But the secret of her success is simple and complex at the same time: “Purposefulness. Quality work. Ability to forecast, show leadership and organisational skills. Ability to identify and manage bottlenecks”. As a result, Asel’s chain of achievements at every stage of her life: a gold medal, a red diploma, a leading position in a male team.

She also believes that the quality of work should come first, while money should come second. She believes that the traits of a manager are immediately apparent if you manage three subordinates. And this is the most difficult thing! But “when you learn to organise three people, the number doesn’t matter anymore, says Assel Arginbayeva. Such professional experience and path, in general, tears gender templates.

“I was particularly impressed by Assel Amantayevna’s performance. Her frankness and honesty in the way she talked about her experience of being a “bad mum” evoked deep emotions and understanding in me. She spoke frankly about her feelings of guilt in front of her children because of her dedication to her work”, said Indira Mandibayeva, an engineer in the Logistics Department of CHPP-1 n.a. B.Orazbayev. – This theme concerns many women who strive to achieve success in both their professional and personal lives. Assel Amantayevna’s sincerity in the way she openly discussed this topic made me think about my own experiences and feelings.

Her presentation became not only a source of inspiration for me, but also a key to understanding that it is important not just to balance work and family, but to actively seek solutions that will help improve the quality of life and relationships with loved ones. This moment showed that true power lies in our personal stories and the ability to share them with others. I left the meeting with a new level of self-awareness and ready for further challenges”.

Akerke Iembergenova, Chief Specialist of the Personnel Sector of WHC, was also inspired by Assel Amantayevna’s story. And especially her advice on how to set goals and achieve them, how to overcome fear and start your way from the very beginning. And her motto: “without love for your work it is impossible to climb the career ladder”.

“When we hosted the Women’s Club, we were very nervous”, Akerke admits. – But everything turned out great. I think such meetings are very important for women, as they lose themselves in grey everyday life. They are necessary to be filled with energy and inspiration. After all, a woman will always understand a woman.

Very useful was Veronika Hegay’s presentation on “Women’s Leadership. Steps to Success”. She spoke about the world’s best practices and performance indicators of gender equality and diversity. On how to develop leadership skills for women. And she also, raised the topic of discrimination, listed what prevents women from manifesting themselves. She gave inspiring examples and told how to overcome your own fears and prejudices that prevent you from being a leader”.

Ainur Zhumatayeva, a leading accountant of the WHC Accounting Department, spoke at the meeting and explained how to put into practice the advice, many of which was given at the meeting. For example, how to engage in self-development without burnout, and how to achieve great success with small steps. What you need to do on a daily basis to achieve your goals. A meditation session was held for all the female participants.

“In this session I learnt a lot of new things for myself: about the reptilian brain, limbic brain, neocortex, about physical, spiritual, mental, emotional intelligence. And about what actions are necessary to develop intelligence in everyday life. I made important conclusions: we should not give in to our own attitudes – sometimes they prevent us from moving forward, – Aliya Sabitova, economist of CHP-3, shares her discoveries. – All speakers were interesting. The coolest thing is that we were shown the practice of applying these tips and actions”.

A woman does not want to burden her relatives with all her doubts, worries and searches. That is why such meetings, where there is a frank conversation with the participation of experts in a particular field, often give the keys to solving many issues and problems.

Here women communicate, share their opinions, talk frankly. Including the role of a woman in the family, as the keeper of the family hearth. A woman is the backbone of the family. Not in vain they say that behind every successful man there is a woman, – reminds the old truth Ainura Kozhayeva, laboratory assistant of chemical analysis of CHPP-3. – But nowadays, a woman, being a family support, can be successful and hold a leading position. This shows the personal example of Assel Amantayevna. But for this purpose it is necessary to choose the right setting, programme. And such meetings give us the code of success”.

For many of the club’s participants, the meditation session was a complete revelation that gave them a new understanding of gratitude to themselves and an awareness of their strengths. This new knowledge allows them to prepare themselves internally for possible challenges.

Meditation became a kind of mirror in which I saw my strengths and values that I had ignored or underestimated for so long”, admits Rano Abdukarimova, foreman of the production section of the electrical shop of the CHPP-1 n.a. B.Orazbayev. – The session helped me realise that thanks to myself and my efforts, I have already achieved a lot. And this deserves recognition and deep gratitude.

Thanks to meditation I learnt how important it is not only to strive to achieve goals, but also to be able to stop, realise and appreciate every step on this path. This experience has been a source of inspiration for me and new plans for the future. It was a true gift for me, which allowed me to review my priorities and reassess my achievements. I left with a new sense of confidence and optimism, ready for the challenges and opportunities that will come my way. I think such dialogues help each of us to find inner harmony and confidence in our abilities”.

Gaukhar Yeleusizova, Chief Legal Advisor of the Contractual and Legal Work Department of the Legal Department of JSC AlES, expresses her gratitude to the beautiful girls of WHC for organising and holding the meeting of the Women’s Club of JSC AlES. She attended such an event for the first time and was very satisfied.

“Master class on women’s leadership was very impressive, gave confidence and dispelled anxieties and worries that I had, – shares Gauhar. – I learnt a lot of useful things from Ainur Zhumatayeva’s presentation “Self-development: goals and results”. I think such meetings in general are very useful, each of us absorbed all the necessary information. The participants were energised for further fruitful work and are looking forward to new meetings!

“Overall, the meeting left a sense of deep respect for the strength and determination of women in management, and inspired reflection on their own goals and how to achieve them. Such meetings become an important impetus to stimulate women’s leadership and create a positive atmosphere for the growth and development of each participant”, concluded Akherke Orazova, Training Engineer at CHPP-1 named after B.Orazbayev.