Erin Chapple

Posted by Penny Maher

The Met Office was fortunate to have a visit from Erin Chapple, who is a leading figure in the global tech industry and a champion for women in technology. Erin’s visit included an open and honest Q&A session with our Women in Climate community, where some common feelings were discussed, and Erin provided valuable thoughts drawing from her own experiences.

Erin shared her insights on fostering an inclusive and dynamic work environment. She emphasised the value of organic sponsorship, advocating for the creation of a culture where mentorship and support arise naturally rather than through formal programmes.

Erin also highlighted the importance of actively advertising job openings to ensure inclusivity, allowing individuals outside established networks to access these opportunities. She discussed the power of vulnerability in leadership, encouraging leaders to ask different cohorts about their needs and wants to gain diverse and interesting insights through reverse mentoring. Additionally, Erin addressed the challenge of finding allyship, suggesting that intentional effort and openness to forming connections across various backgrounds are key to building supportive networks.

Erin spoke about leadership as an act of conviction, and how your own worst enemy can often be yourself. She advised attendees to help overcome self-doubt by assuming they are the best person for the job until told otherwise and emphasised the importance of a bias for action. Erin acknowledged the prevalence of imposter syndrome and warned that burnout occurs when the stress cycle isn’t interrupted. She underscored the necessity of understanding what energises and depletes oneself, urging individuals to be caregivers to themselves as they often are to others. By embracing these principles, Erin believes that individuals can navigate their careers more effectively and contribute to a supportive and inclusive workplace.