Why Women Are Held to a Higher Competence Standard

In this milestone 50th episode of Women at Work with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore the 'double bind' of competence bias: how women are often judged as either likable or capable, but rarely both — and the thinner margin for error women face compared to men. Drawing on a 2023 McKinsey & LeanIn.Org study that found women leaders are 1.5 times more likely to receive critical feedback on their communication style than male peers, they unpack how this higher bar shows up in performance reviews, promotion decisions, and everyday interactions. They also discuss research from Harvard Business School professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter and a real-world example from a Fortune 500 tech company where women managers were penalized for the same assertive behaviors rewarded in men. The hosts offer concrete strategies women can use to name the bias, manage perceptions, and advocate for fair evaluation — without sacrificing authenticity. Whether you're a woman navigating corporate culture or a manager looking to check your own bias, this episode gives you the language and the data to push back against the competence trap. #CompetenceBias #DoubleBind #WomenAtWork #Leadership #GenderBias #CareerAdvice #PerformanceReview #Likability #Assertiveness #McKinsey #LeanIn #RosabethMossKanter #ImposterSyndrome #WomenLeaders #ManagingUp #BiasTraining #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo