As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s a time to reflect on progress, acknowledge challenges, and explore the impact of diverse leadership. At Hyper Island, we believe that innovation thrives when different perspectives come together. In this interview, Kirsten Tattersall, Chief of Staff at Hyper Island, shares her insights on workplace diversity, leadership, and the evolving landscape for women in business.
Hi, I’m Kirsten Tattersall, Chief of Staff at Hyper Island. Having lived and worked in South Africa, Canada, the UK, and now Sweden, I’ve seen firsthand how different cultures shape the way we work, lead, and collaborate.
By sharing this article around International Women’s Day, I hope to highlight the value of diversity in the workplace and its impact on innovation, leadership, and growth.
How would you describe Hyper Island’s approach to workplace diversity, and why do you think it’s important for innovation and company culture?
At Hyper Island, diversity is reflected in our global team, where colleagues bring different languages, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives to the table. These differences enrich collaboration and creativity, making every interaction an opportunity to learn. Sitting at our big lunch table often feels like traveling - sharing stories, experiences, and ideas with an inspiring group.
Much like all the ingredients integral to a great meal, innovation thrives on a mix of perspectives. When teams include people with different experiences, they challenge assumptions, generate fresh ideas, and approach problem-solving in new ways.
For me, diversity is an ongoing process of learning and reflection. Asking myself, “Where is there room for improvement today?” helps me stay open to new ideas and keep moving toward a more inclusive and dynamic work environment.
How do you think Hyper Island’s strong female presence influences the way we work and collaborate?
The strong representation of women at Hyper Island contributes to a highly collaborative and dynamic work environment. Our variety of leadership styles and perspectives strengthens communication, decision-making, and problem-solving across teams.
Reflecting on my experiences, I’ve worked in many environments where this type of collaboration wasn’t the norm. At Hyper Island, our approach actively encourages inclusivity and knowledge-sharing, creating a work environment where different perspectives are valued.
What do you see as the biggest barriers for women in leadership, and is the landscape shifting?
Despite progress, women continue to face barriers to leadership due to factors such as unconscious biases, access to opportunities, and work-life balance considerations. These challenges can sometimes prevent women’s contributions from being fully recognized.
Personally, I’ve experienced impostor syndrome - a feeling that many women in professional settings can relate to. However, the landscape is evolving. More organisations are introducing inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and leadership development initiatives that support diverse talent. This shift is helping to create more equitable and accessible pathways to leadership.
Businesses play a crucial role in creating environments where women leaders can thrive. I feel like some key actions to include would be to have:
- Bias Awareness in Recruitment & Promotion: Implementing transparent processes that focus on skills and help minimize unconscious bias, ensuring fair evaluations. Even those who are committed to diversity should regularly reflect on their own biases, as it’s easy to fall into familiar patterns.
- Mentorship & Sponsorship Programs: Connecting emerging female leaders with experienced professionals who provide meaningful guidance and advocacy. Offering coaching and recognising achievements helps to build confidence and empower women in leadership.
- Inclusive Workplace Culture: Creating an environment that values diverse leadership styles and encourages open communication. At Hyper Island, our methodologies actively promote inclusivity, fostering a supportive culture for all.
- Flexible Work Policies & Parental Support: Providing adaptable work arrangements and equitable parental leave to accommodate different needs.
Sweden has strong workplace equity policies, but workplaces everywhere can benefit from structured initiatives that support professional growth.
How does Hyper Island ensure leadership opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of gender or background?
This is such a fun and interesting question! I would start by asking - what is leadership?
If leadership is the ability to inspire, guide, and influence individuals or groups toward a common goal, then it’s not just about authority or position. It’s about having the vision, emotional intelligence, and skills to motivate and empower others. Looking at it through this lens, I believe we are all leaders in some way.
So, how do we ensure leadership opportunities are accessible to everyone? I think it comes down to self-motivation and problem-solving. If you can identify a challenge and take the initiative to address it, you are leading - regardless of your role, background, or gender. I don’t think leadership should ever have boundaries.
At Hyper Island, those who demonstrate these qualities naturally find opportunities to grow and make an impact, it also has so much to do with team work! That said, we are always learning and evolving. Leadership is an ongoing process, and there is always more to discover along the way.
Building More Inclusive Workplaces
What are the biggest benefits for companies that foster diverse leadership?
I believe companies that prioritise diverse leadership gain a strong advantage. When different perspectives come together, decision-making becomes more thoughtful, well-rounded, and effective. A strong, inclusive culture also fosters belonging, boosting engagement, morale, and retention, which benefits both individuals and the organisation.
To me, diverse leadership means actively surrounding myself with people who think differently than I do. When I’m uncertain about a decision, I look for input from colleagues with different experiences. Leadership isn’t about always having the right answers - it’s about seeking the best solutions through collaboration.
Advice for Women Aspiring to Leadership Roles
What advice would you give to women who want to step into leadership?
- Find a mentor - formal or informal. Having someone who can guide and support you makes a huge difference.
- Sort out your own "stuff." The more self-aware and resilient you are, the better equipped you’ll be to handle challenges.
- Don’t be put off by setbacks. There will be bumps in the road - expect them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
- Say yes more often. We often hesitate or overthink opportunities, but sometimes the best growth comes from just giving things a go.
Leadership is a journey, and no two paths look the same. The most important thing is to stay open to learning, be confident in your abilities, and surround yourself with people who lift you up.
At Hyper Island we emphasise continuous learning, self-awareness, and collaboration. Our methodology is designed to help teams and individuals seize their potential, adapt to change, and lead with confidence.
With a global presence, we offer educational programs ranging from tailored business courses to long-term Master’s degrees—each designed to foster innovation, inclusivity, and strong leadership. If you’re interested in learning more, visit our website, and don’t forget to check out our Toolbox for practical, ready-to-use tools to support your growth.
WANT TO GET NOTIFIED ABOUT OUR EVENTS?
Join our mailing list for tips, events, and opportunities.