Damned if you do…. Unpacking Gender Bias in the Workplace

by | Sep 5, 2023 | Gender Equality, InPower Women Blog, Women in Leadership

Over a decade ago, when I began writing about women in leadership and gender bias, I was very hopeful. Up to that point I had, what I thought, was a good experience working in mixed gender workplaces. I felt welcome and generally appreciated as a female leader. When I opted off the leadership ladder to pursue work as a consultant and, later, executive coach, I saw it as an act of personal and career agency.

I read the new-at-the-time research on the benefits of women in leadership as empowering and enlightening. I was sure we’d turned a corner. I was sure that women, as well as their unique and success-enhancing leadership styles would be more and more welcome into the higher ranks of power.

Today, I am less hopeful, but more determined. 

While not representative of all gender bias issues, the data below are some of the most current. These points are highlights taken from our most recent, biannual update on the InPower Women Guide to Women in Leadership. For a complete review of the data and how to think about it, plus over 150 source links, regular data updates and perspectives, download the entire report here.

The numbers on gender representation in leadership aren’t moving fast enough

For a complete list of our data tracking on women in leadership, check out The Facts.

We’re looking more closely, and learning more as a result, about the gender bias problem

  • Research shows that men get more specific, actionable feedback than women do. 
  • Ever had someone express surprise that you’re in charge? It’s called “role incredulity” and it happens (irritatingly) more than we’d hope. 
  • Research shows that women are 41% more likely to experience toxic workplace culture than men.
  • Here’s what does work to reduce bias: Hiring women into senior leadership positions, which mitigates stereotypes and even evolves the vocabulary used to talk about leadership within an organization.

For a complete list of sources we track on gender bias, check out Gender Bias.

Women and men are both part of the solution, and the problem

As pernicious and stubborn as these gender bias issues appear to be, there are things we as individuals and companies can do. For a start we can all reprogram the tropes we use to advise, mentor and coach women with, to find more INpowering and gender neutral mindsets. 

What are you doing to counteract your own gender bias? (I guarantee you have some!)

Photo by Dainis Graveris 

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Dana Theus

Dana Theus

Dana Theus is an executive coach specializing in helping you activate your highest potential to succeed and to shine. With her support emerging and established leaders, especially women, take powerful, high-road shortcuts to developing their authentic leadership style and discovering new levels of confidence and impact. Dana has worked for Fortune 50 companies, entrepreneurial tech startups, government and military agencies and non-profits and she has taught graduate-level courses for several Universities. learn more

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