We haven't always been aware of it, but the 'locker-room bro talk' has long been going on not just in locker rooms but in some corporate conference rooms. Of course, not by all men. But by some - including some who hold positions of power. And that matters in holding women back.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the harmful impact of informal, derogatory conversations that can occur in male-dominated spaces, which can hinder women's progress.
Sallie Krawcheck's quote brings attention to the traditional 'locker-room talk', not only as a phenomenon present in sports but also in corporate environments, where men in positions of power may engage in discussions that undermine women. This type of discourse reflects and perpetuates a culture that can impede women's advancement in the workplace, signaling that the issue of gender equality is complex and often rooted in socialization patterns among men.
In practice
During a panel discussion on gender equality in the workplace.
What you hear and what the research shows is that gentlemen negotiate for their first job. Women do not negotiate from their first job and on. And I tell women there is no H.R. fairy godmother. There might be, but you better not count on it.
The research indicates that when we women invest, we women do tend to be more patient, take a longer-term perspective and as a result of it, tend to be better investors than men. But the messages we get are that investing is sort of 'the guys' world.'
As an entrepreneur, I've learned how crucial it is to be able to call a spade a spade and avoid falling in love with a particular strategy or product. Instead, you need to let the customer tell you what she needs - and to change her as she changes.
Somehow, there is this feeling that women require remedial financial education, and so everything must be dumbed down. The reality is that we all need a lot more education, but guys just go ahead and invest anyway.
If you aren't committed to diversity of thought, you have no business launching a startup.
In the old world of business, there was often just one seat at the leadership table for women, two at best. That meant that only so many women could advance. But in a world where women recognize the power that they own - and where technology can upend the traditional rules of engagement - one woman winning doesn't mean another loses.
Leadership is an act of submission to God. To be a leader means listening to all kinds of people and situations. Out of that listening, we are hoping to discern the mind of God as best we can. This is the price of leadership - it's an act of sacrifice. So leadership is part and parcel of the work of submission to God.
You stand up for your teammates. Your loyalty is to them. You protect them through good and bad, because they'd do the same for you.
People really are our most important resource, and people who don't realize that and choose not to live that way, choose not to lead that way, are paying a price for that in many of our companies, many of our organizations.
Women are still not reaching the most senior levels of corporations. This is not the shortcoming of women. We're talented and smart.
If you can influence the leaders, either with or without their conscious cooperation, you automatically influence the group which they sway.
There is nothing fast or easy about diplomacy. I have no illusions about that.
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