Digital expert Nikki Cockroft at the GGDCPT event in Wembley square, Cape Town. Photo by HumanIPO.
As one of the female pioneers successfully contributing on a revolutionary scale to the male-dominated digital industry, Cockroft confirmed standing in the shoes of a woman is challenging.
However, she believes no one should stand back when it comes to aspects of womanhood when stepping into the boardroom.
“Don’t hide that you have emotions…We come with emotions, that is part of our package,” Cockroft said.
She explained emotions should not be seen as a downfall, but can be managed through self-awareness, through which women can also discern themselves in the workplace amongst men by being themselves.
With her first child due soon, the serial chief executive officer (CEO) in various digital agencies and corporate companies, has decided to take a step in another direction, though still being involved in the field.
“I know the day that I told everybody that I am pregnant, there was an immediate reaction to how people would perceive me,” Cockroft said.
“I was no longer perceived as a hardcore business woman, I was now perceived as being the life option, and maybe more a loafer for the lack of a better term,” she said, relating her recent decisions about becoming a mother.
HumanIPO reported last month on her resignation from the Digital Media and Marketing Association (DMMA), though she will remain as chairperson of the Bookmarks Awards.
Planning to become an activist and mentor in opening industry opportunities for women of colour, Cockroft has made a choice to juggle both family and career life.
“I believe that as a woman it is our opportunity to have it all”, Cockroft said, referring to her disbelief in recently appointed Yahoo chief executive officer Marissa Meyer’s opinion that women cannot have it all.
She talked about challenge as her drive, feeling it is a waste of time to work in an environment without learning something new and being happy there.
“I am absolutely driven by my passion for digital, changing the industry,” Cockroft said.
