Why some women might adopt male behaviour and attitudes to fit in with their male colleagues.

We met with the brilliant Kat Parsons from ISS in this week’s podcast.

We discuss why some women might adopt male attitudes and behaviours to fit in with male colleagues, also known as the chameleon effect, which refers to women adopting male behavior and attitudes to fit in with their male colleagues. Kat said while it may provide a sense of belonging, it can also perpetuate gender stereotypes and lead to discrimination.

We talk about the challenges women face while working in male-dominated industries. Kat shares her experiences working in contaminated lands, which involved walking around in heavy boots, putting mud in jars, and being subjected to derogatory comments from her male colleagues. She also discusses the importance of speaking up and understanding one’s privilege to create a more equitable workplace.

During the interview, Kat Parsons discusses the importance of creating a supportive work environment that encourages diversity and inclusion.

Kat has set up employee resource groups that allow employees to share their experiences and provide feedback, which is valued as gold. She emphasises the importance of listening to employees’ feedback, as they can help identify areas where changes must be made.

She also discusses how she js creating an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about menopause and have implemented measures to support employees going through it.

We also talked about cultural change and how it is essential to create a culture that supports diversity and inclusion. Kat emphasised that this needs to be done from the top down and involves the whole organization, not just certain departments or individuals.

Key points

• The importance of creating a supportive work environment, listening to employees’ feedback, and creating a culture of diversity and inclusion.
• It is important to create an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of gender.
• Understand and acknowledge one’s privilege to create an equitable workplace.
• Women should be encouraged to speak up and call out sexist behavior, and men should be allies in this effort.

For women who are facing similar challenges in male-dominated industries, this podcast can serve as a source of inspiration and support. It highlights the importance of advocating for oneself and owning one’s career path. It also emphasizes the need to challenge stereotypes and biases that limit opportunities for women in the workplace.

You can reach out to Kat on LinkedIn. her posts are brilliant and we love what she shares with her followers. 

You can pitch here if you want to come on the Jobs for Women podcast.