How To Stop Gender Discrimination In The Workplace - Real Women Real Success

Summary

In this video, the speaker addresses gender discrimination, particularly in the workplace, and shares her experiences with microaggressions. She emphasizes the importance of women taking leadership roles, citing statistics on the underrepresentation of women in top positions. The speaker suggests leveraging female strengths, such as giving and leveraging, to build relationships with key influencers. She encourages women to apply for promotions even if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications, advocating for a proactive approach to combat discrimination and pave the way for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Gender discrimination is a critical issue that affects women in the workplace, impacting their opportunities for advancement, promotion, and equal pay.
• 🗣️ Many instances of discrimination are unintentional, with people often unaware that their actions or words constitute microaggressions.
• 👥 The speaker has experienced microaggressions from friends who have helped her professionally, highlighting the complexity of addressing discrimination.
• 💡 To combat discrimination, it's important to create 'opening moments' that allow people to see women in leadership roles, challenging traditional norms.
• 📈 Women are underrepresented in top leadership positions, with only 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs and 14% of government executives being female.
• 💰 Despite being underrepresented, women-owned businesses have proven to be profitable, with examples like Kevin O'Leary's investment success.
• 🙅‍♀️ Women often hold themselves back from opportunities, applying for jobs only when they feel they have 100% of the qualifications, unlike men who may apply with 60%.
• 💪 The speaker advocates for women to leverage their strengths, such as giving and leveraging, to advance in the workplace and build relationships with key influencers.
• 🔗 Building relationships with key influencers can be challenging, but by identifying connections and working through them, women can gain support for career advancement.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages women to take action, influence their career paths, and pave the way for more women in leadership, benefiting future generations and the world at large.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed in the video script is gender discrimination, particularly focusing on how women can overcome and stop gender discrimination in the workplace.

What is the significance of microaggressions mentioned in the script?

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory actions or comments that can contribute to a hostile environment for women. The script highlights that sometimes people are unaware that they are discriminating through such microaggressions.

Can you provide an example of a microaggression shared in the script?

An example of a microaggression mentioned in the script is when the speaker's friend made a comment about women controlling money and making decisions in a marriage, assuming the speaker's role as CEO and treasurer in their corporation was due to her gender rather than her qualifications.

What is the speaker's perspective on intentionality in gender discrimination?

The speaker suggests that not all discrimination is intentional. She encourages creating opportunities for people to see women in different, leadership roles to change perceptions and norms.

What statistics does the speaker provide about women in leadership positions?

The speaker mentions that only 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women, only 14% of government executives are women, and women receive only 0.7% of venture capital.

How does the speaker suggest women can advance in the workplace?

The speaker suggests that women should leverage their strengths, such as giving and leveraging, to build relationships with key influencers who can help them advance. She also encourages women not to wait until they have 100% of the qualifications to apply for promotions.

What is the 'seven degrees of Kevin Bacon' theory mentioned in the script?

The 'seven degrees of Kevin Bacon' theory is an analogy used to suggest that everyone is connected to someone influential in some way. The speaker advises women to find connections to key influencers who can help advance their careers.

Why is it important for women to be in top leadership positions according to the script?

The script emphasizes that having women in top leadership positions is not just about diversity or skill sets, but also about profit and fulfilling a need in the world for women's perspectives and problem-solving abilities.

What is the speaker's call to action for women?

The speaker's call to action is for women to take initiative, influence their way to higher levels, and change the dynamic of gender discrimination. She also encourages women to do this not just for themselves but for future generations, including their daughters.

How does the speaker propose to change the perception of women as leaders?

The speaker proposes to change the perception of women as leaders by having more women in top positions, making it more commonplace and accepted, and by women using their strengths to build relationships with key influencers.