Many women in the workplace can feel isolated, especially those facing unique challenges like balancing motherhood and work. Sher-Li Torrey discusses the importance of workplace sisterhood for women’s professional resilience, emphasizing empathy, social support, and the unique challenges working women face, particularly mothers.
Meet Sher-Li Torrey
Sher-Li Torrey is the founder & director of Mums@Work (Singapore), which was started in 2010. Trained in various personality profiling tools, she has more than 20 years of corporate experience holding multiple roles in different industries.
In 2010, following the birth of her daughter, Sher-Li started Mums@Work (Singapore) – a social enterprise that supports women. A point of information source for women looking at flexible work arrangements and starting their own business, Mums@Work is a career portal that supports more than 53,000 women.
In 2016, she started a subsidiary of M@W, Career Navigators, focusing on bringing women back into the workforce in full-time roles. This subsidiary has established partnerships with more than 150 MNCs, and various returnships and back-to-work programs have been implemented over the years.
In 2021, Sher-Li launched “Singapore: 40-over-40. Inspiring Women,” an annual initiative highlighting 40 women in Singapore over 40 who have started a business, restarted a career, changed career paths, or created a social giveback project. The project aims to speak up against ageism and gender bias women face in Singapore.
As founder of Singapore’s first flexible work career portal, Sher-Li has spoken to various organizations and local media on Diversity & Inclusion topics and HR-related issues. She is a frequent speaker and article contributor to the press and TV on topics related to new work environments, employment trends, and diversity hiring.
As a trained career coach, Sher-Li also currently sits on various advisory boards of Singapore’s different government ministries – including the COMPASS Council (Ministry of Education) since 2017, the ACCORD Family & Community Council (Ministry of Defence) since 2019, and the Families For Life Council (Ministry of Social & Family Development) since August 2019. A mother of 2 school-going children, Sher-li strongly advocates a work environment that thrives in allowing employees better work-family integration.
About the episode
Sher-Li, a mom entrepreneur from Singapore, underscores the significance of workplace sisterhood in fostering personal resilience. She emphasizes understanding one’s limits as a fundamental aspect of building resilience. Workplace sisterhood offers essential support for women facing various challenges, creating a safe space for sharing experiences and advice.
Workplace sisterhood is about forging bonds and connections among women in professional settings. This support network is crucial for helping women navigate workplace challenges and thrive. However, not every female worker benefits from female colleagues or a supportive environment to foster such connections. Sisterhood allows women to share thoughts and ideas, promoting mutual growth and success.
Social support in the workplace is vital for helping individuals feel a sense of belonging and authenticity. It provides grounding and reassurance, especially during tough times. Colleagues who offer moral support can significantly impact an individual’s ability to manage work-related challenges, even if superiors do not reciprocate this support. Feeling supported and not alone is crucial for navigating workplace difficulties.
Women in the workplace often face unique challenges, mainly due to caregiving roles that can impact their career advancement. These roles can lead to the formation of subgroups within sisterhoods as women seek understanding and support from those with similar experiences. Differences in life stages, such as motherhood, can sometimes create distance among friends due to varying needs and experiences.
Workplace sisterhoods are essential for professional resilience, providing joy and support. Finding a supportive tribe and a sense of belonging in the workplace is crucial. Empathy, open communication, and asking questions are key habits for reinforcing social support among women. Supportive environments empower women to speak up and excel professionally.
In conclusion
Workplace sisterhood and social support are pivotal in building personal resilience and professional success for women. Encouraging open communication, empathy, and understanding within professional settings can create a supportive and thriving work environment.
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