Let’s Teach Girls Bravery AND Teach Boys Empathy!

In her popular TEDTalk titled Teach Girls Bravery Not Perfection, Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code asserts that we are raising our girls to be perfect, and we're raising our boys to be brave. Saujani says “I worry about our bravery deficit. The bravery deficit is why women are underrepresented in STEM, C-suites, boardrooms, Congress, and pretty much everywhere you look.”

While I don't disagree that girls and women have been overly socialized to avoid risk, in this episode, I challenge assertions and oversimplifications that perpetuate a fix the women, fix the problem narrative.

Sure. Let's talk about teaching girls and women to be braver, but let's ALSO talk about teaching boys and men to be more empathetic. Where is the complimentary TEDTalk to teach girls bravery, not perfection titled teach boys empathy, not aggression?

This episode of the Advancing Women Podcast addresses the negative consequences of a workplace that disproportionately favors leadership traits like confidence and assertiveness when research shows traits like empathy and interpersonal sensitivity are as, if not more important.

In the face of epic leadership failures, tyrannical leadership, and ethical scandals that have destroyed companies and lives, it’s time to talk about how the workforce and what we value in leaders must change. Less fixing the women, more fixing the problem!

 

Previous Advancing Women Podcast Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

Fear of Failure: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fear-of-failure/id1569849100?i=1000527184290

Tightrope Bias & The Likeability Dilemma: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tightrope-bias-the-likeability-dilemma/id1569849100?i=1000570385546

 

For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast

https://advancingwomenpodcast.com/

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Resources/Reference:

https://trainingindustry.com/articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/women-may-make-better-leaders-than-men-science-shows-feminine-leadership-qualities-that-drive-success/

https://news.usc.edu/30333/When-Stressed-Men-Charge-Ahead-Women-More-Cautious/

https://www.ig.com/en/news-and-trade-ideas/top-10-biggest-corporate-scandals-and-how-they-affected-share-pr-181101

https://www.scarymommy.com/instead-women-apologizing-men-apologize-more

https://hbr.org/2020/04/7-leadership-lessons-men-can-learn-from-women