Lindsay Garvey-Jones
[00:00:00] Northern Power Women podcast for your career and your life. No matter what business you're in.
[00:00:26] Simone Roche: Hello. Welcome to another episode of our We PoWEr On season of the Northern Power Women podcast. I'm your host Simone Roche and every week I'm joined by someone from our Northern Power Women community who is doing truly kick ass work.
[00:00:40] Today my guest is none other than the wonderful Lindsay Garvey Jones the national retail manager at holiday extras with a 34 year career in the travel industry. Lindsey has sat on the board of directors for the Association Of Women Travel Executives since 2014, ensuring that women in their industry and men and all genders are able to reach their full potential, build confidence and develop skills. She's a positive disruptor and influencer in the industry, having won awards for the TTG is that the Travel Trade Gazette. I think I remember right. LGBTQ plus pride champion and a AWT honoree award, keeping gender on the agenda and always seeking equality, diversity and inclusion in our industry.
[00:01:25] Lindsay, I know from personal experience works tirelessly on multiple committees with individual businesses to establish that best practice and effective frameworks to push ahead to a creative, positive and thriving culture. Co-founder of Travel Talks Menopause, which supports the travel industry and the learning and understanding of menopause, it's symptoms in which businesses can do to protect and support those experiences, spirits instance, and creating effective workplace remedies to our talented female workforce. Alongside this oh my god, I'm literally gonna have to have a lie down in a minute. Lindsay, alongside this Lindsay is a qualified and certified NLP practitioner, a life coach, as well as being a self-confessed feminist and activist championing equality across business and industry. While continuing to empower male role models and create a positive allyship, which we are massive, massively positive and supportive over here at Northern Power Women towers.
[00:02:18] And rightly so this year, Lindsay joined the Northern Power Women Powerlist and somehow as fun, the time to join me today, we said this at the start didn't we, you know, how on earth when you read these bios back? You're like, you know what you do? You want something doing give it to a busy woman? Welcome, welcome Lindsay. And welcome actually now the Chair of the Association of Women Travel Executives. Aren't you? Congratulations.
[00:02:42] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: Thank you, so much, it's wonderful to have been asked to be on this prestigious podcast. So it's quite an achievement, actually, I think being a guest of yours, so I'm really happy to be here and I'm very happy to have taken the chair of AWT as well, because many changes are afoot , everything needs to evolve. Everything needs to be fit for purpose as we move it forward. But my word reading that CV back my little nine year old self from St. Helen's all those years ago. Yeah. That's something to be proud of.
[00:03:13] Simone Roche: Oh, Northern Power Man is from St. Helens. He always talks about Cindy's nightclub, but potentially, potentially there, again, not too many tales, not enough time.
[00:03:21] Now you are a self-described Lancashire lass and what some might call an expert in your sector of travel. What is it about the travel and your sector that has seen you have a 34 year career? I mean, that's amazing, isn't it?
[00:03:35] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: If anyone can, I feel like cliff Richard, having a career that spans so many decades, I think I will get to it, the 60th 70th decade. You'd never know, but I've never been outside the industry. I've always stayed within travel and I've done different various roles. But what I've loved more than anything of course it's the people, but there is a bit of a story as to why I not necessarily chose travel because I was obsessed when I was little, you know, being born and bred Lancashire during the seventies, it was a very resourceful and industrial time for many people.
[00:04:12] But there was an expectation back then to kind of follow a bit of a bit of a blueprint formula wasn't there. It was like, go to school, do well, go and get a job, get married, have kids do the rest and then retire. You know, that was the blueprint in the seventies and that was considered successful. But you know, that this story is, is one day my friends were putting suitcases into the back of the car and I said, where are you going? And they said, Florida. And I went wow where's Florida.
[00:04:41] It was a big thing. And then I went home and got my Atlas out, got my map out and had a look at where Florida was. And that's kind of where it all kicked off. Because later that afternoon I saw a plane in the sky and all I remember is the most beautiful, clear crystal blue sky with crispy contrails , which still melts my heart now.
[00:05:03] And I waved at the plane and thought, oh, it's them. And I collected brochures from all the travel agencies in town, and I knew, I just knew that that is what I was gonna, I was gonna do because I think. What's kept me in the travel industry. I think, and some psychotherapists will probably love to have a look at me under a microscope because I am a people pleaser. I Love to make dreams happen. I like to make sure that everyone's happy. I want to make sure that everybody's being given the best experience possible and to make memories. So I think really it's an industry that is hand in glove for me, you know, the people and the customer.
[00:05:44] Simone Roche: You're a magic maker, aren't you? And, you know, you talked about that huge passion for looking up at the sky and, you know, waving at your friends and I'm sure the pilot I'm sure. I'm sure she waved back. But you know, the passion for this, it also transcends through everything else that you do, and all these other hats that you wear.
[00:06:02] But where did this passion for equality? Where did that stem from?
[00:06:05] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: Well, so we might get a bit deep here, so I think. A lot of this does stem back from some of the dark side of the eighties. If you remember the backdrop of me, I was born in 72. So by the time, that I was 9/10 , if the backdrop was the aids pandemic, there was rioting, there was racist attacks, there was strike action across the UK. And by 1982, sadly, I'd lost my mum, to bowel cancer. And then I had a very abusive and violent father. So the narrative in the house was very misogynistic. It was very it was full of injustice and it was full of racism. And I was too young to fully understand what was being created inside of me.
[00:06:51] It was even a rage, you know, there was this rage inside here. And I know now that this was a feeling of unfairness, it was bias. It was injustice. And when I was little and all of this violence and abuse was going on, I told a trusted adult and that person didn't hear me didn't believe me. And that was devastating and had such an impact on me, a very profound impact on my life for years and years.
[00:07:19] And what it did create was. The opportunity to have whatever platform I would have the grace of being given to make sure that I gave voice to those that felt that they couldn't for those who were in fear for those who have injustices against them. Because my belief is that every decent human being on this planet deserves to have a full, equal ,purposeful life without bias or prejudice. You know, I always wanted to disrupt the narrative, but very eloquently. So I was always curious and now would always ask questions as to why that person held those views, just to see what can be done positively with hope, change and innovation. So a lot of it came from the dark side of the eighties and personal trauma. So yeah, I came from that.
[00:08:06] Simone Roche: Wow. And that, it's using that, like you say that dark side and then using that influence and power that you have for good. And, you know, we talk about taking action all the time. You clearly took action there to take something that could have buried, destroyed, distracted, you know, for, for, in a negative way, you know?
[00:08:25] And so what, what is it that our listeners could do today to be more active, to take action, to not turn the other cheek that that person did to you, Lindsay. And you know, and I mean, look at you. You're an amazing, amazing, strong. Woman an amazing role model, but how, how come, how can we all be more active allies?
[00:08:46] And as I say, not, you know, take the action and call things out. So do we make sure whether this is in terms, you know, so we'd be an active ally to marginalized groups, race, gender, socioeconomic background, sexuality. What, what can our listeners do? Let's take action! .
[00:09:00] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: It's such a golden question, Simone, because I get this asked so regularly, what can I do to support? Because I think the will and the want is there, but there's a fear behind wanting to, because they don't know what to say, how to say it. And the fear of upsetting somebody. But I always say, you know what? Just be authentic. Ask questions, be curious, find out more about the history and the legacy of all the groups, you know, invest the time to really understand and more importantly, listen to what's being sad.
[00:09:29] Get ready to feel uncomfortable, you know, having your beliefs and your values, challenge what people want more than anything. And I can speak from experience is to have their voices amplified it's to acknowledge that the conversation isn't about you and that you must be prepared to stand, even when that feels scary at time.
[00:09:48] And also, you know, there are, there are a lot of people, a lot of different groups that suffer with the effects of microaggressions, such as subtle or indirect discrimination. And we must remember that such as now, happy pride month, here we go into June and that we mustn't do it just for a month. This is every day. Every year forever. You know, it's not just for the month, whether .That's pride month, black history month, or if it's menopause awareness month or even invisible disabilities and disability awareness weeks. This is 24 /7 365. So my best advice is learn. Be prepared, ask questions and just be authentic.
[00:10:27] Simone Roche: I think we always have a headstart as being northerners is, you know, you call it curious, I call us a bit inquisitive, mischievous and nosy. So it's embracing that it's embraced. And I think that, you know, like you say, bring your whole self, you'll be authentic and, you know, be, be vulnerable as well. I'm not really sure how to talk about this, is it okay if I can find out more? And I think, you know, one of the things she talked about was, was, was menopause.
[00:10:49] And this is one of the things that you've you've done is you've co-founded Travel Talks, Menopause to myths bust and educate around something that affects us all, whether personally, you know, Northern Power man talks about the manopause and the impact on him. And I'm like, really? Well actually he talks about it with that, wanting to be an ally for it. What can I do to help? You know, he spends countless hours on Tik TOK, watching videos, trying to help me. I'm now aloe verad out and doing all kinds of things, but, but it is important. Isn't it, you know, to shocking one in 10 women quit their jobs because of menopause. So tell me a bit about why you and your co-founder Julie decided to take the action.
[00:11:24] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: Well, I've been talking about menopause for a few, few years now. I've sat on panels, talking about equality and female quotas, and I've always included menopause as a big reason as to why there's always going to be disparity in gender pay and misreporting and gender pay gap reports due to the fact that women do leave their roles when they feel under heard, under supported, due to the symptoms of the menopause.
[00:11:50] Now, many women who do reach that menopause age, the supporting parents, they've got children while they're trying to run a home. And, you know, women have fought so hard and so long to achieve those great leadership positions. And you know, it is a bit of a gift to get there, or it has been. Only to find that they struggle so much to cope with the menopause symptoms, that they, they have to make that tough decision to leave.
[00:12:15] So, you know what, Julia and I were at a dinner separately the same dinner and it was the meeting of two minds. Julie was going through the menopause and I wanted to take action, do something make, make it so that people had access to information and education. So having experiences share to having guest speakers on HRT, giving advice on how to start something at work in people's own businesses or how to get legal advice, you know, because everybody that does go through the menopause how's that unique and individual experience.
[00:12:48] And for people around them, that can be quite difficult to understand. So Travel Talks Menopause was born for all genders, all ages to empower everybody regardless of that and give these people a voice and allow the education and information to become available. So that's why it exists.
[00:13:05] Simone Roche: It's amazing. And I think it's so powerful and it is very much a, a topic that has been, you know, really talked about, you know, and, and it just takes some of those, you know, big names out there to talk about it.
[00:13:15] But I know this community has been talking about this for a long time, and I think it's, this is about now organizations, irrespective of size and community's really taking, you know, making adjustments and, and going back to earlier being curious and, you know, we've just had to haven't we mental health awareness week, and, you know, we see lots of resources and support being pointed to, and, you know, encouraging people to ask for help and to, to speak up at such we talk about being heard, this can be easier said than done. And, you know, you do see it in businesses, but how can we really not just have it, so it's really accessible.
[00:13:50] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: I don't think it's a surprise that a happy workforce is a productive workforce and employees that who feel that they occupied this safe space at work are free to be themselves. It's critical to the success of a company.
[00:14:01] I do think it's crucial to create a culture within a business that does reflect that. And that is that's quite easily done because well-being is made up of so many different things, such as sleep, parenting, nutrition, downtime, development, growth, objective, objective setting. Somebody's wellbeing might even be effective by somebody else that they care for or something outside of work, something that is obviously impacting them.
[00:14:25] So it's, you have to be mindful of the signs that somebody isn't coping and there's some great tools to start that process. If leaders are unsure. At my business, we use a thing called Culture Amp, which is a fantastic free resource tool that helps to gauge the narrative, the feelings, the feedback of all of your team players, your employees, and it's all done anonymously.
[00:14:46] So that can really help you to have a look at your business top down and find out, figure out. Where you need to make improvements because wellbeing at work determines your creativeness, your collaborativeness, your ability to solve problems and work out strategies, and more importantly, help other people, you know, things things that we do in my company, we do free fruit Mondays ,we do team barbecues, we've got men's health and at work we've got women's health at work, LGBTQ out might nights speed dating, but not with outside dates. It's speed dating with a different department that you don't probably know. We've got cool off rooms. We've got a library of self-support things, you know, taking ownership and having accountability of your own wellbeing. Of absolute course, that's paramount, but you know, suggest in forums having to get together to figure out where it is that you need to start is always a good place.
[00:15:37] Simone Roche: And I think there's, that really is that we talk about checking in on the checkers, I think is really important. We can often be, you know, as busy people, we can be busy. And then sometimes we forget about us. What is that again? What's that bit of advice. Can you give to people out there who are the people who do all the check-ins, make sure they look after themselves, right?
[00:15:57] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: To stay in the world of travel, you've got to fix your own oxygen mask before you help other people, you know, leading by example, we've just been chatting about how leaders have to walk the walk, you know, and, and for things to not just be a great idea when employees don't see the engagement from their leaders, it's important that leaders are visible.
[00:16:14] They're seen to be engaged in supporting the same activities and initiatives. However, leaders also. They get absolutely burned out. Switching off, self-care, leaving loudly is something that I like to do for you Monday. And that almost gives permission for other people to go, oh, that's okay. You know, the more engaged that they are in sharing experiences, they're human too, you know?
[00:16:37] Have a day with your team offsite somewhere, really get to know them, either work on a project that's unrelated to work, do some voluntary activity as well, which is brilliant. Two fold. You're helping whoever it is that you've volunteering with, but also it gives back, you get that hit of dopamine as well. So switching off, self care and do some voluntary activities.
[00:16:58] Simone Roche: And as we talked about just before recording today, you know, i've just come back from Majorca, not been away for a while. And I actually, for the first. Ever since in the last sort of in this business, I actually, while I was away, it took me to get away and it was working while I was away. But I actually put two days leave in the, put on the calendar and I think there was something intentional, whether you know about going right no, I'm going to do that. I'm going to carve that out for me. And I just thought, we've all got a role model that behavior, haven't we as well. Cause you know, like you say, the oxygen mask thing is, is kind of really key. So. Tell us quickly about UnFunk yourself. Love the name that you set up, which your coaching business you set up in March. Tell us about how we unfuck ourselves.
[00:17:41] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: You know what, during the pandemic we were given the gift of time and I knew that this time would never happen again. So I used it with purpose, you know, I can't sit still, you know, so I signed up for a qualification. Well, two qualifications, three. In fact, if you consider one of the protecting children and young people in a crisis or pandemic as well.
[00:18:00] So I replaced my working hours cause I was on furlough with study hours. So I studied from nine til six every day. And it's something that I've always wanted to do. I think by experience in childhood trauma and having so much therapy because I went through CBT landmark forum, loads of different therapy and immersing myself into self-support. There was a time that I wanted to give that back. I want, you know, reflecting on everything that you've learned, you've come out of all of that. It has been a complete gift. Everything that's happened to me has been a complete gift. Cause I wouldn't be where I was if it wasn't for what had happened and that's how I choose to see it.
[00:18:38] But, you know, we don't fully understand the enormity of what's going to happen with the mental health crisis. That's going to emerge from all of this. But I'm going to be ready. So UnFunk Yourself was born because you know, when you get stuck in a funk and you think, 'oh, I just, I can't move on. I can't shift it.'
[00:18:53] I'm your fifth emergency service, because sometimes you get a bit stuck. You need a bit of direction, you need some clarity, you need to set some goals and you don't know how. That's me. And I think sometimes..
[00:19:04] Simone Roche: You're a traffic control. That's what you are a traffic insurance.
[00:19:09] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: I think sometimes that what stops us is those really pesky limiting beliefs that we sometimes carry throughout our lives. And it's, what's joyous is the clarity that, that you get when you remove those. I've got eight clients. That's enough for me. I do lots of face-to-face and Zooms, but the feedback that I get is pretty amazing to see them progressing. So it's great.
[00:19:32] Simone Roche: And dare I dare I ask what is next for her Lindsay Garvey-Jones?
[00:19:35] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: Do you know what? I guess it's important to carry on the good work that we're doing. Because for me, it's more about. Equipping the next generation. So we can pass this batton back to for when it's their turn. Hopefully it's going to be easier for them. Hopefully in 10 years time, we won't be talking about the same things.
[00:19:51] This means continuing the agenda on equality, inclusiveness, men's health, menopause. All of this is too important. It's about evolving, innovating, and moving things forward with about as much compassion and as much passion as possible to influence others in the process. Because as the great essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson said nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. And that's what I've got.
[00:20:13] Simone Roche: Do you know what I think that is amazing. And actually we would love to get you on one hour PoWEr Up mentoring events. We do our speed date events for those undergrads and those early careers. We would love you to come in and unfunk those sessions. Oh, listen, Lindsay. So delighted that you were nominated and made the the Powerlist this year. So congratulations.
[00:20:34] Lindsay Garvey-Jones: Thank you so, so much. It's an absolute privilege.
[00:20:36] Simone Roche: Oh, I thank you so much, Lindsay, for being here today and thanks to all of you for tuning in. If you love our episodes, please let us know by rating, reviewing and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.
[00:20:47] This helps us spread the stories of role models and reach more people. Don't forget. We also transcribe. We also have bites and you can read all about, and the hear about these amazing role models that we have each, each week reach out on our socials at north power women on Twitter or at Northern power women on all our other social media. Let us know what you think. Join us next Monday when I'll be joined by another wonderful role model from the Northern Power Women Community. . My name is Simone Roche. You've been listening to a Northern Power Women podcast. A what goes on media production.