4 min read
International Women’s Day is about pushing for real change. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, is a call to do exactly that. When we talk about gender equality, the focus is often on women empowering women, which is, of course, crucial. But real change happens when everyone is part of the conversation.
At TimeXtender, we know diversity drives better decisions, but inclusion starts long before the workplace. That’s why, for this WomenXTech article, we’re highlighting three of our colleagues—Sverre Helland, Martijn Guillot, and Michael W. Hansen—who are coaches for their daughters’ sports teams.
They’ve seen firsthand the challenges girls still face in sports and leadership. From fighting for equal funding to ensuring girls have the confidence to take up space, their experiences show how small actions create real impact. And the lessons they’ve learned on the field apply just as much in the workplace.
So how can we accelerate action for gender equality? Here’s what they had to say.
TL: Martijn Guillot with his two kids, Faye and Valentijn, whom he coaches in softball in the Netherlands. BL: Michael W. Hansen and his daughter Leonora at the AGF main stadium in Denmark—he's her football (soccer) coach. R: Norwegian Sverre Helland winning the Dronninglund handball cup with his daughter.
1. What inspired you to become a coach for your daughter’s sports team?
Sverre Helland: "I became a coach for my daughter's handball team to be involved in her development and share our passion for sport. I wanted to be a positive role model, contribute to the community, and promote being physically active. It is also a great way to get to know her friends and our local community."
Martijn Guillot: "I've been enthusiastic about baseball and softball ever since I started playing at 8 years old. It’s given me a lot of great experiences, friendships, and lessons, and I wanted to give my children—and other boys and girls—the same opportunity. I’ve received so much from this sport over the years—it was time to give back!"
Michael W. Hansen: "Initially, I got involved with my daughter’s football (soccer) team to help out and provide fun experiences for the kids. I started helping when my oldest daughter was just 5 years old, back in 2016, about 9 years ago."
2. How has coaching influenced the way you see leadership, both in sports and in the workplace?
Sverre Helland: "Coaching has deeply influenced my view on leadership. I've learned the importance of clear communication, adaptability, and empowering others. These skills translate well to the workplace, enhancing my ability to motivate teams and solve problems effectively. There are surprisingly many similarities between leading grown-ups and youth."
Martijn Guillot: "I am a lead-by-example kind of person, focused on behavior and process rather than results. I see that in any team, whether in sports or business. Another big similarity is what happens when a great player or leader leaves a team—teams are fluid, and others will step up to fill the gaps. Sometimes, this even makes the team stronger."
Michael W. Hansen: "Coaching girls has been fantastic, exposing me to the challenges of working with diverse kids and mindsets. This experience has significantly broadened my perspective and enhanced my ability to interact with all types of people."
3. International Women’s Day is about creating a more equal future. How do you ensure the girls on your team feel empowered to lead and take up space, on and off the field?
Sverre Helland: "I create an environment that encourages confidence and self-expression. I rotate leadership roles, encourage decision-making, and discuss gender equality in sports. We expect the same from these girls as we would for a boys' team. They train just as hard—both on the court and in the weight room. My goal is to help them develop confidence to take up space in all areas of life. Enduring hardship in training and competition helps them become more resilient for challenges in everyday life."
Martijn Guillot: "Chasing equality often ends up emphasizing differences. I approach all the girls as individuals first and treat them the same as I would handle the boys. Of course, there are differences—on a girls' team, the social aspect is often more important. By continuing to build on strong and positive team and personal characteristics, we teach them to use differences to their advantage."
Michael W. Hansen: "Girls still don’t have the same opportunities in football as boys, though the situation is slowly improving. At my local club, girls’ football was seen as ‘just for fun,’ without the same competitive ambitions as boys. When I joined the board, I saw that most of the budget was going to boys' talent teams. After a year of work, we changed this—splitting the budget equally between boys and girls. Today, we’ve built one of the best grassroots and talent clubs for girls’ football in Jutland, Denmark, and we’ve even sent players to national talent camps. If we fight for equal opportunities, real change happens."
4. What parallels do you see between building a strong, diverse sports team and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace?
Sverre Helland: "Both sports teams and workplaces thrive when we recognize individual strengths, communicate effectively, and create a culture of respect. Leadership in both areas requires balancing individual needs with team goals and adapting to different situations."
Martijn Guillot: "A key parallel is creating a psychologically safe environment where people feel they can contribute without fear. I actually learned about this from Mike Robbins’ book, ‘We’re All in This Together,’ which we received at TimeXtender a few years ago—a must-read for everyone!"
Michael W. Hansen: "Providing girls and women with the same opportunities in sports as boys and men fosters equal opportunities everywhere. If we get it right in sports, we create a mindset that carries over into business and beyond."
5. This year’s #AccelerateAction theme is about driving meaningful change. What can companies in our industry do to accelerate action on gender diversity?
Sverre Helland: "Implement mentorship programs, ensure equal opportunities, set concrete goals for representation, promote work-life balance, and amplify women’s voices in decision-making. Partnering with educational institutions to encourage girls in tech is also crucial."
Martijn Guillot: "Look at the person rather than their gender. Respect should be granted to all human beings—it’s up to them what they do with it. Show and give some love—it will make the world a better place."
Michael W. Hansen: "Companies should invest in girls’ sports—through sponsorships or other forms of support. Nothing becomes big business unless you invest in it!"
6. If you could challenge everyone to take one action for gender equality this International Women’s Day, what would it be?
Sverre Helland: "Actively amplify women’s voices in your field. Highlight female athletes' accomplishments, advocate for equal coverage, and encourage women in leadership roles."
Martijn Guillot: "Seek equality by embracing differences and using them to everyone’s advantage!"
Michael W. Hansen: "Fight for equal opportunities in sports—don’t accept that boys automatically get more resources than girls. If we change sports, we change society."
Happy International Women’s Day! Change happens when we take action. Let’s make it count.