We are stronger together. I think we mostly understand this, men and women alike. It is common sense. Two pairs of eyes are better than one, a champion team is more likely to win than a team of champions, it takes a village to raise a child.

These sayings are easily understood, commonly referenced.

But when we say women are stronger together, there is a hidden narrative that is not so well understood. It is as much about how we feel about who we are, as it is what we are able to do.

We are twelve days into the Antarctic voyage component of Homeward Bound. The ‘we’ encompasses the 100 women invited to take part in Homeward Bound 4 and an all women faculty of 12, Antarctica is the 13^thmember and the beating heart of Mother Earth.

Outside my window as I write, the sun, set in a perfectly blue sky, is reflected in a setting of such impossible beauty, I struggle to find the words to convey its scale or impact. Meringue covered craggy mountains, with sometimes dark, bare breakouts of craggy rock, surround our small ship. The weight of the snow cascades to the shore. I can see at least three glaciers. The water of the bay we are anchored in is still, its glassy surface broken intermittently by penguins, weaving their way towards the krill. I can turn slowly in a circle and the vision is unbroken and I feel my heart constrict.

We are mindful of the privilege and responsibility of being here. We do not take either lightly. Antarctica enters our hearts and minds as a relentless call to action. It speaks to one and all.

Towards the end of the day yesterday, we all sat through another session of what we call Symposium at Sea. This is a vehicle we use to ensure all the women participating have time to share the core of their story, their quest, with the group. Each have three minutes.

These symposiums are where you can feel the greatest impact of Homeward Bound. Each storyteller is different and yet connected in a way few of us fully understand. From astrophysicist on the famous Nobel Prize winning Ligo Team to lead trauma surgeon from a major US hospital – the skills are undeniably different, but the intention and link is the same.

In our space, within Homeward Bound, we are safe. We don’t wear make-up, we don’t care so much about what we wear. When we stumble, we are held. We are connected, truly ourselves, and feeling these things we become the best of ourselves. As we embrace the sense of deep belonging, we discover links and shared opportunity in an endless wave of possible collaboration.

There are no egos, no grandstanding, no fear of judgement, no competition, no seeking approval.

We have taken our place as leaders. We understand that we are stronger together, no matter how diverse our skills. We recognise wisdom emerges when all have a voice. We solve complex problems, we cry, we laugh and we dance.

We imagine how our world would be if we led, if more women led, if many women led.

Perhaps common sense would become common practice.