This blog is part of our Breaking Barriers series that celebrates the remarkable women leaders who play a pivotal role in shaping Securitas into the company it is today.
Meet Bodil Höglund, Head of Digital Workplace. With extensive experience in digital workplace management and IT service delivery, she leads a team of 35 people, delivering tools and services that improve how Securitas colleagues collaborate and work more efficiently.
We spoke to her about leadership, the importance of representation in tech, and what it means to empower others and create opportunities for future talent.
Continue reading to learn more insights from Bodil.
Q&A with Bodil Höglund
What advice do you have for aspiring leaders?
My advice for aspiring leaders is not to wait for the title to start leading. Practice decision-making, public speaking, and conflict management. Start building your network by connecting with colleagues, exchanging experiences, and finding a mentor. Don’t be afraid of sharing your ambitions. A strong network can be your key support when aiming for a leadership position.
How do you help other women to lead?
In my team, I have less than 20% women, but the ones we have are true rockstars. A few years back, I was the only woman in the team, and now I have succeeded in onboarding five more, some with management responsibility and others as technicians.
Our team provides a safe environment where everyone is treated with respect, and it helps everyone grow, not only the women. No one would ever treat a woman different from a man. Many times, the women in my team are on the front line when communicating with senior management or explaining technical challenges. I give them room to do this, not because they are women, but because they are the right person for the task.
How can the industry encourage more young women to pursue careers in security and technology?
Cultivating interest in technology from an early age is crucial for encouraging girls and young women to pursue related studies and careers, since women are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
For instance, my youngest daughter and her classmates participated in the FIRST Lego League competition this year, which focused on programming and innovation. The experience was so engaging that they won the Stockholm final and earned an invitation to the global finals. I am sure this has opened the eyes of these girls and gives them confidence to one day become a woman in tech.
Companies within the industry should aim to put women in front when interacting with schools, internships cases, and similar events, to show that there are not only men in this business. This is the most important thing raised when I have spoken to younger female crowds.
And the obvious one; it’s essential for the industry to provide equal pay for equal work and show zero tolerance for harassment.
How do we create greater gender equality?
I think psychological safety is one of the important things. At work we have a very transparent environment with open discussions. We are aiming to get everyone heard; if you are a junior employee or a very experienced one, if you are a woman or a man. It is OK to fail, and we all learn from that.
I dedicate time to the junior members of the team and welcome their questions. Our organization operates within a complex structure involving numerous stakeholders, which necessitates guidance to effectively navigate these relationships and cultures.
As noted previously, the women on my team are frequently at the forefront of our work. I strive to offer support and coaching when required, and it has been remarkable to observe their professional development and growth over recent years.
