‘If I notice a woman being interrupted or overlooked, I intentionally bring the word back to her’

Josefin Berg, Associate Director at S&P Global, revealed that she intentionally intervenes when she notices women being interrupted or overlooked during industry meetings to ensure their voices are heard. Her approach highlights the ongoing need for inclusive leadership in the rapidly changing solar and renewable energy sectors.

During the Women in Solar+ Europe event, Berg shared her personal practice of actively restoring women’s contributions in meetings where they are interrupted or overshadowed. She emphasized that these ‘eclipse’ moments, though often subtle, influence whose voices are valued and heard in the industry.

Berg explained that she pays close attention to these dynamics and intervenes by bringing the woman’s voice back into the conversation. She believes that inclusive leadership is essential for fostering diverse, innovative teams capable of addressing the fast-paced challenges of the renewable energy sector.

She also discussed her experiences working remotely within a traditionally male-dominated industry, highlighting how supportive management and inclusive policies, like paid parental leave, foster a culture where women can thrive and contribute fully.

Impact of Inclusive Leadership in Solar Sector

Her approach underscores the importance of active, vigilant leadership in creating equitable workplaces. Addressing subtle biases and interruptions ensures diverse perspectives are heard, which is vital for innovation and effective problem-solving in the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. This practice can influence industry standards and promote gender equality, benefiting the sector’s growth and sustainability.

Gender Dynamics and Leadership in Renewable Energy

The solar and renewable energy sectors have historically been male-dominated but are gradually becoming more diverse. Despite progress, women still face challenges such as being overlooked in meetings or leadership roles. Berg’s comments reflect broader industry efforts to address these issues through policies and cultural change, emphasizing that inclusion requires active engagement from leaders.

Her recognition of ‘eclipse’ moments aligns with ongoing discussions about unconscious bias and the importance of inclusive leadership in fostering diversity and innovation within the industry.

“If I notice a woman being interrupted or overlooked, I intentionally bring the word back to her because I trust that she has something relevant and valuable to contribute.”

— Josefin Berg

Extent of Industry Adoption of Inclusive Practices

It is not yet clear how widely Berg’s approach is adopted across the industry or how effective these interventions are in changing broader workplace culture. The specifics of how companies are implementing similar strategies remain to be seen, and there is limited data on measurable outcomes.

Next Steps for Promoting Inclusive Leadership in Solar

Industry leaders and organizations are expected to increasingly adopt active inclusion strategies, including training and policies that address subtle biases. Monitoring and sharing best practices could help mainstream these approaches. Additionally, ongoing discussions at industry conferences and events may further emphasize the importance of vigilant, inclusive leadership to ensure diverse voices are heard and valued.

Key Questions

What are ‘eclipse’ moments in industry meetings?

‘Eclipse’ moments refer to instances when women or minority voices are interrupted, overlooked, or overshadowed during discussions, affecting whose contributions are heard and valued.

How does Josefin Berg address these moments?

She actively intervenes by bringing the overlooked person’s voice back into the conversation, ensuring their insights are recognized and heard.

Are these inclusive practices common in the solar industry?

While awareness is growing, such proactive interventions are still emerging as best practices. Not all companies or leaders currently implement them consistently.

Why is inclusive leadership important in renewable energy?

Inclusive leadership fosters diverse perspectives, which are crucial for innovation, effective problem-solving, and equitable workplace culture in a fast-changing industry.

Source: PV Magazine