How Women Succeed in a World Built By Men | Valerie Alexander

What if some of the challenges women face in the workplace aren't about their ability to succeed, but about the history of the systems they're being asked to succeed within?In this episode of Rooted & Wild, I’m joined once again by Valerie Alexander, workplace happiness and inclusion expert, speaker, author, and advocate for the advancement of women, for a fascinating look at how we got here and what that history means for women navigating corporate life today. Valerie is also the author of How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having “Female Brains”), which draws on evolutionary biology, anthropology, sociology, and her own corporate experience to examine women working within systems historically designed by men. We go back much further than the modern office, exploring Valerie’s perspective on human evolution, hunting and gathering, traditional divisions of labor, patriarchal social structures, and the eventual development of workplaces whose expectations and definitions of leadership were largely established by men.Those structures didn’t disappear simply because women entered the workforce.Women have made extraordinary gains in education, employment, management, and leadership, while many workplace norms developed during eras when women had far less economic and institutional power. The history of women’s participation in American work shows just how dramatically those roles have changed, particularly over the last century. So what happens when ancient assumptions and historically male-designed systems collide with the realities of a modern workforce?Valerie and I explore the unwritten rules women encounter in corporate environments, the behaviors traditionally associated with leadership, the ways women may adapt themselves to succeed, and why some systems that once reflected the societies that created them may no longer serve the workplaces we’re building today.And importantly, this isn't about men versus women.It's about understanding where our systems came from so we can become more conscious about which parts still make sense, which don't, and how women can navigate the world that exists today while helping shape what comes next.Because succeeding in a world built by men doesn't have to mean becoming more like one.In this episode, we explore:• Human evolution and the historical division of roles between men and women• Hunting, gathering, survival, and how Valerie connects that history to modern behavior• The development of patriarchal social and economic systems• How the modern workplace was historically shaped by men• Why some workplace norms may have outlived the circumstances that created them• Women’s changing role in business and corporate America• The unwritten rules of professional advancement• Leadership, confidence, competition, and collaboration• Why competence alone doesn't always determine who advances• Gender expectations surrounding authority and leadership• The pressure women can experience to adapt to male-established workplace norms• How women can recognize the system without allowing it to define their value• What women can do differently to advocate for themselves and their careers• Why changing workplaces benefits from the participation of both women and men• What a more equitable model of leadership could look like• How women can succeed as women, rather than believing they must become more like menAbout Valerie AlexanderValerie Alexander is a globally recognized speaker and expert on Workplace Happiness, Equity & Inclusion, and the Advancement of Women. Her TED Talk, How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias, has been viewed more than a million times and is used as a training resource in classrooms and boardrooms. Her books include Happiness as a Second Language, Success as a Second Language, and How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having “Female Brains”). Before becoming a speaker and screenwriter, Valerie worked as a corporate securities lawyer, venture capital consultant, investment banker, and Vice President of Business Development for technology startups, giving her firsthand experience inside the corporate systems she now examines. Connect with Valerie:Website: SpeakHappiness.comLinkedIn: Valerie Alexander / Speak HappinessRooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Henry Hawk. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.