Spreading Wings and Breaking the Bias

My career has always been a very important part of my life. In my family, the traditional gender roles are reversed.

In my previous position, as an HR manager at an international company, my job would require extensive national and international travel to meet with various cross-functional teams, managers and stakeholders. I was away from home far more than most women in the workplace. When I was around the office, well-meaning colleagues would frequently ask, “What does your husband think about all the travel you do?” and I couldn’t help but wonder if my male counterparts were challenged with this same question.

Early in my executive career, it was very common to see businessmen meeting for breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and I would be the only woman there. As the years went by, that gradually changed, and I was relieved to see more and more women executives joining their male counterparts at those same events.

For some of my colleagues back at work, I knew that their questions regarding my husband’s feelings about my travel stemmed from a genuine concern for me being away from my family so often. But others would press the subject in an attempt to understand how my husband was able to take care of the household in my absence. Inevitably, I felt compelled to share that it was my husband who does the cooking in our home. Occasionally, someone would boldly remark, “Your husband must be a very patient man.” to which I would normally respond, “Of course he is; that’s why I married him!”

What fascinated me was that this line of interrogation originated from both male and female colleagues. What this showed, for me, is how these gender roles are so well established in our society and how noticeable it is when someone challenges that “norm.” I’ll be honest; it felt good to challenge their biases.

One of the great outcomes is that my career opportunities, and the challenges that I have had to overcome, have helped shape my sons’ view of evolving gender roles in the home and workplace. I hope that these experiences will help them to #BreakTheBias and become enthusiastic and vocal supporters of their partners’ careers.

In our next blog,  Orna Dobner (Chief Brand and Culture Officer) reflects on how she's trying to #breakthebias through self-acceptance, finding her groove, and creating space for herself.