When I first met my friend Oleg, he shared a story that stuck with me. Oleg worked in a male-dominated industry and had a female boss who was one of the sharpest minds in the business. Yet, she constantly worked twice as hard as her male peers, hoping to shatter every stereotype about women in leadership. Her effort was awe-inspiring—but her burnout was devastating. Her story made me think: what if we stopped trying to fit into broken systems and instead designed work environments that work for us?
As a Chief Strategy Officer and a working mother, I’ve spent my career exploring how to transform workplaces into spaces where women thrive. The truth is that traditional workplace structures were not designed with us in mind. But today, we’re at a pivotal moment—and we have the power to redefine what success and leadership look like.
The Myth of “Having It All”
One of the most pervasive myths about women in the workplace is that we need to “have it all.” The flawless balance of career, family, and personal ambitions has been painted as the ultimate goal. But here’s the catch: this goal is often unattainable, not because women lack the capability but because workplace cultures demand trade-offs that men rarely face.
Instead of chasing an unrealistic ideal, I encourage women to focus on designing a job and a life—that aligns with their values. A good starting point is questioning the systems in place. Are you expected to be available 24/7? Is there flexibility for caregiving? These are not just “nice-to-haves”; they’re essentials for building a sustainable and fulfilling career.
Equality Is Not Enough; Transformation Is the Goal
Equality initiatives—think pay transparency and diversity hiring—are critical. But equality alone doesn’t address the root problem: workplaces were not built for women, let alone women of color, LGBTQ+ women, or mothers. Achieving equality within flawed systems isn’t the endgame. The goal should be transformation.
Transformation starts with understanding what truly drives business results. At Culture Partners, we’ve seen time and again that inclusive and equitable cultures outperform those clinging to outdated norms. Data shows that companies with diverse leadership teams have a 19% higher revenue from innovation. Why? Because diversity drives creativity, and creativity drives success.
Advocating for Your Need
Redesigning work begins with advocating for yourself—and this can feel daunting. But remember, it’s not about being difficult; it’s about ensuring you can perform at your best For example, when a leader insists that employees return to the office without considering remote work options, it often stems from an obsession with visibility, not results. Challenging these norms isn’t just good for you—it’s good for business.
Practical Steps to Take Today
- Define Your Non-Negotiables: Know your limits and stick to them. Whether it’s flexible hours, remote work, or clear boundaries for after-hours communication, define what’s essential for your success.
- Leverage Your Network: Share your challenges and successes with other women in your field. Building a support system can provide insights and opportunities you might not find alone.
- Drive Change Through Data: Use research and metrics to advocate for policies that support women, such as flexible schedules or equitable pay structures.
- Partner with Culture Consultants: If you’re in leadership, consider engaging experts to audit your workplace culture. At Culture Partners, we specialize in helping organizations unlock the power of inclusive cultures to drive results.
The Road Ahead
Shifting workplace culture is not just a win for women; it’s a win for everyone. The more focus on creating environments where women can thrive, the more we unlock the potential for better innovation, collaboration, and results. Let’s stop working harder within broken systems and start building better ones. After all, designing a job that works for you is the ultimate act of leadership.
Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, has over 15 years of experience helping Fortune 100 and global organizations build cultures that drive performance. A recognized thought leader featured on CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, FOX Business, and more, she specializes in data-driven culture, accountability, and change management.