Maria Arpa MBE welcomes retired detective and true crime presenter Jackie Malton to discuss her extensive career in the Metropolitan Police and the inner conflicts faced by women in the workplace. Jackie shares her experiences of navigating a male-dominated environment, the challenges of sexual discrimination, and the personal toll it took on her mental health. She reflects on her journey of self-discovery, recovery from alcoholism, and the importance of finding one's authentic self amidst societal pressures. The conversation delves into the dynamics of workplace culture, the bystander effect, and the need for critical loyalty in addressing wrongdoing. Jackie also highlights her current work helping men in prison with addiction issues and her memoir, "The Real Prime Suspect," which chronicles her life and career.

Key Takeaways

1. Evolution of the Workplace: The Metropolitan Police has undergone significant changes since the 1970s, reflecting broader societal shifts. The integration of women into the police force has been a slow but ongoing process, highlighting the importance of adapting to changing social norms.

2. Personal Experiences of Harassment: The discussion reveals the challenges faced by women in male-dominated workplaces, including harassment and discrimination. Personal anecdotes illustrate the lengths to which individuals had to go to fit in and the internal conflicts that arose from compromising their values.

3. Impact of Alcoholism and Recovery: The journey through addiction and recovery is emphasised as a critical turning point. Seeking help through Alcoholics Anonymous led to a deeper understanding of personal struggles, anxiety, and the importance of self-validation.

4. Bystander Effect and Critical Loyalty: The conversation addresses the bystander effect in workplaces, where individuals may remain silent in the face of wrongdoing due to fear of social repercussions. Promoting critical loyalty encourages colleagues to challenge inappropriate behavior while maintaining a sense of team integrity.

5. Holistic Understanding of Conflict: The importance of examining the context of conflicts within organizations is highlighted. By understanding the underlying issues and dynamics, individuals can foster healthier workplace environments and encourage open dialogue about moral and ethical standards.

Related links

Website: https://mariaarpa.com/

Workplace Consultancy: https://workplacehuddle.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MariaArpaMBE

Host BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

The DRM has applications in all aspects of life and is used for resolving conflict, repairing harm, decision making and healing at an individual and group level. It challenges people to live in harmony with their values. In 2020 Maria received an MBE from the Queen for services to mediation.

Learn More About Us: https://www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org/