Nataliya TYSHCHENKO, managing partner of JK NOBILI, member of the Council of the National Association of Arbitration Managers of Ukraine, shared her vision of female leadership in the legal profession through the prism of her experience. Read about balance in the field of personal/business life, skills, must-haves for female leadership and prospects for female lawyers in the modern world in the publication “Yuridichna Gazeta”.
— Natalya, what difficulties and challenges have you encountered on the way to success in the legal field, especially as a female leader?
— During my 23 years of practice in law, I have repeatedly personally encountered the fact that women in business are trusted less than men. Unfortunately, this has happened historically, and this is an unjustified phenomenon. Also, in the practice of bankruptcy, there are many moments when you need to show strength of spirit and absolutely cannot show weakness. This is because men treat businesswomen primarily as women. And only through the manifestation of your professionalism can you gain recognition from colleagues.
— How do you resolve conflicts and overcome obstacles in working with a team or colleagues, especially taking into account gender aspects?
— I am a non-conflict person. However, when I notice a provocation in my direction, I resolve it as a professional, applying knowledge of conflict theory, negotiation and mediation skills. It is also important to detect such manipulations and understand why they are trying to pressure you. This will help you think soberly and effectively defend your interests.
— What strategies do you use to increase your visibility and influence on the legal services market as a leading lawyer?
— I am always interested in the effectiveness and benefit of my work, primarily as a human rights defender. Therefore, I am looking for opportunities and ideas for the development of practice, profession and legislation. Membership in professional organizations, in particular in the Council of the National Association of Arbitration Managers of Ukraine, helps me in this. In it, I can propose new legislative initiatives, participate in the review of draft laws and make amendments, conduct events to popularize the practice of bankruptcy and improve the image of the arbitration administrator profession. I also speak at business forums and participate in closed business clubs, popularizing my field among their audience.
— Have there been times when you had to balance professional and personal goals? How do you do it?
— I still balance my professional and personal life. I clearly know that both areas are important to me, and one without the other would be disharmonious for my life. That’s why I set goals and am very happy when I manage to realize myself in different roles.
— What skills or qualities do you think are most important for a woman who aspires to leadership in the field of law?
— It all starts with self-esteem and self-respect. No matter how expert you are in your field, what matters is how confident you are in your professionalism, strength, and success. Only when you believe in yourself, others will believe in you, this is a common law of energy exchange. In addition to my professional competence and team management skills, I want to single out what has been helping me for over 20 years. It is important not only to be able to analyze complex situations and develop strategies, but also to make decisions quickly. Right now, time is your main resource, your most valuable asset, and your worst enemy if neglected. In order to quickly make effective decisions that can help save the life of a company, business or person, I always listen to my intuition. We are used to making decisions with a cold mind, but ignoring our own feelings and intuition is a wrong step. Before deciding something, I always ask myself about the consequences and risks, about who will be better off from my decision. It is important to show empathy and not be afraid to take risks. When taking risks, I always ask myself: what if the worst happens? Sometimes you need to be flexible and understand when it is beneficial for you to take a step back in order to take 10 steps forward. By listening to your “I”, you will learn to make decisions under uncertainty and pressure, to be true to your values, to face any challenges, to resolve conflicts and to build cooperation.
— Do you have your own personal strategies and approaches for mentoring women in the legal field?
— Currently, I see my mission as helping women in law and business find a balance between personal life and work. I myself went through phases where work was everything to me and other areas of my life suffered. Having the experience of solving this issue, I want to share it with others. That’s why I founded Balance Wheel, a community for women, where we host online and offline events for members. After the bad times, we all missed live meetings, because it is an opportunity to exchange energy, inspire and motivate each other, find new ideas and meanings. At the beginning of the war, we held many webinars with experts from various spheres of life, who gave important answers to women’s questions, organized yoga practices, master classes. I am sure that this format is very effective, because it is an opportunity to expand one’s worldview, make useful connections and present oneself. By combining these methods and professional development, any woman can achieve success and happiness in all areas of life, regardless of the industry in which she works. Now it is very important for women to worry about their mental health and remember that it is no less valuable than Mercedes and other material goods.
— What prospects do you see for women lawyers in today’s world and the legal field of the future?
— The global perception of gender equality contributes to the growth of opportunities for women at various career levels. The modern world and its legal field are opening more and more opportunities for women. New specialized legal practices are emerging, such as digital, technology, environmental law, cybersecurity and others, where women are already making significant contributions. The use of technology, in particular artificial intelligence and process automation, can create new opportunities for career development in the field of law. The growth of global challenges requires a greater understanding of international law, which enables women to realize themselves in international organizations and companies. Increasingly, women are becoming leaders in solving social problems, participating in the development of legal policies and contributing to the creation of a fairer society. I am convinced that the more female energy will appear in high positions, particularly in politics, the less conflicts there will be in society.
— What advice would you give to young women who are starting their careers in the legal field?
— Show up! Many people have not achieved their goals because they were afraid of making a mistake all their lives. Therefore, I advise you not to be afraid of turning points, because it is thanks to them that our progress takes place. Take risks, act, talk about yourself and prove your professionalism, don’t be afraid of changes and look for opportunities everywhere. And stop thinking that someone has already taken your place and that you will not be able to achieve more. In this world, there is enough space and opportunities for everyone. The main thing is to think in a positive vector of your life.
—Which of the Ukrainian human rights defenders was and is for you an inspiration and an example of female leadership?
—At the beginning of my journey, the history of female leadership was not as popular as it is now. And there were fewer women in the legal profession. So now, when I see new faces in our legal community, I am truly happy! This powerful female energy strongly influences the development of female leadership and the field of jurisprudence in general. I am impressed by their courage and determination to take responsibility in high-profile cases, their vision and new ideas for changes in society. Currently, I am inspired by my colleagues: arbitration managers Olena Volyanska and Iryna Serbin, judge Olena Kibenko, MP Yulia Tsybulska, politician Olena Sotnyk. These women have already done a lot for the profession and society, for which they deserve gratitude.