"If It’s Difficult, It’s Worth Doing" - Nazir Afzal OBE

The brilliant Nazir Afzal OBE joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing honesty, courage, and a lifetime of fighting for justice and inclusion. Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Chair of the Lowry, and tireless advocate for equity, Nazir refuses to let diversity become a tick-box exercise – instead, he challenges leaders to make allyship active, authentic, and accountable.From calling out institutional misogyny to championing gender equality, Nazir shares why the retreat from diversity initiatives is not only harmful but deeply damaging to employees who are told, in effect, "we don’t believe in you anymore." He reminds us that while men are often part of the problem, they are also essential to the solution – and must step up, not out, when the work feels difficult.In a conversation rich with challenge and hope, Nazir and Simone explore what real leadership looks like when values are tested, why measuring social impact matters, and how storytelling and community are vital tools for lasting change. For Nazir, the bottom line is clear: courage in leadership isn’t about following trends, but about standing firm when it matters most.00:00 Welcome to the We Are Power Podcast00:46 Introduction to Nazir Afzal OBE02:06 Achievements and Roles05:01 Advocacy and Leadership08:23 Challenges and Pushbacks12:29 The Importance of Inclusion16:21 Celebrating Achievements18:23 The Role of Male Leaders in Gender Equality18:53 The Power of Advocacy and Support20:06 Challenges Faced by Women in Male-Dominated Fields21:37 Institutional Misogyny and Safety Measures24:12 The Importance of Genuine Leadership Engagement27:44 Measuring Social Impact and Value29:44 Encouraging Community and Storytelling32:18 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionFind out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫