S4: EP:52 Breaking Glass Ceilings: What Rachel Reeves Teaches Us About Persistence and Progress

On my podcast She Who Dares Wins, I recently had the privilege of speaking with Rachel Reeves, who made history as Britain's first female Chancellor in 800 years. Our conversation revealed something surprising about daring to succeed – sometimes, the boldest move isn't taking a leap, but standing your ground.

The Power of Staying Put

When Rachel shared her story of "daring and winning," it wasn't what you might expect. In her words, "It's when I've stuck at something rather than when I've taken a risk." As an MP since 2010, she watched friends leave the Labour Party during challenging times when it seemed unelectable. But she stayed, believing she could contribute to getting the party "back on the right path and back into government."

This resonated deeply with me. In our world of quick wins and constant pivots, there's something powerful about believing in change from within, even when it seems impossible.

From Chess Champion to Chancellor

What struck me most about Rachel's journey was how it began – not in the corridors of power, but over a chess board. As a young girl playing in male-dominated tournaments, she found inspiration in the Polgar sisters, particularly Judith Polgar, who became one of the world's youngest Grandmasters. This early exposure to women breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces shaped her future path through economics, banking, and eventually, politics.

Building Confidence Through Action

For those who think leaders are born confident, Rachel's story offers a different perspective. Before becoming an MP in 2010, she'd hardly done any public speaking or media appearances. "You wouldn't know it now," she reflects, but delivering speeches and appearing on TV were skills she had to develop, not natural talents she possessed.

The Path to Progress

Rachel's journey teaches us several valuable lessons:

1. Take Every Opportunity: Whether it's an extra class, a university open day, or a local political meeting, saying yes to opportunities creates stepping stones to success.
2. Start Small: Rachel's entry into politics wasn't through a grand gesture – it was showing up to leaflet on a Saturday morning. These small commitments built the foundation for bigger achievements.
3. Believe in Your Right to Be There: In male-dominated spaces, from chess tournaments to the Treasury, Rachel's success came from knowing she belonged there on merit.

A Message to the Next Generation

Perhaps the most touching moment of our conversation came when Rachel shared her recent visit to a local school, where a young girl asked her why prices were so high. It was a powerful reminder of why representation matters – today's challenges become tomorrow's solutions when we have diverse voices in positions of power.

From being one of only 121 women MPs elected in 1997 (a number that seemed revolutionary at the time) to becoming the first female Chancellor in 800 years, Rachel's journey shows us that progress is possible, even if it takes time.

The Most Daring Act of All

Sometimes, the most daring thing isn't making a dramatic change – it's staying true to your convictions when others walk away. It's showing up, day after day, even when success seems distant. And it's believing that your presence in a room can help change not just your own future, but the futures of generations to come.

As Rachel puts it, "You can't be what you can't see." Today, thanks to her persistence, young women and girls can see themselves in roles that were once unimaginable. And that might be the biggest win of all.

Listen to the Full Episode now:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ts42Gbj7ZNmLOKVnItsjD

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