Trending @Accenture; When empathy becomes a liability (especially for women)
I often hear companies say they are women-centric and value inclusive leadership. But the lived reality feels very different.
Women are socialised to be kind, empathetic, and aware of people’s struggles. We’re told this is a strength. Yet in corporate IT—especially at senior levels—when a woman shows empathy or voices concern about people impact, it is quickly labelled as “emotionally driven” or *“not objective enough.”
The same behaviour in men is often called passion or strong leadership. In women, it becomes a weakness.
This creates a constant contradiction: • Society expects women to be kind • Corporate culture expects leaders to be detached • And women are judged no matter which side they choose
Empathy is not the opposite of logic. Caring about people impact does not mean decisions lack business sense.
If organisations truly want inclusive leadership, they need to stop penalising women for traits they themselves encourage—and stop equating emotional intelligence with lack of professionalism.
Curious if other women (and men) at senior levels feel this tension too.
empathy is good but corporate is cut throat, , it is sad but cannot be changed and u need to be strong headed. Most organisation are aiming for gender equality but it is your responsibility as well to also put business first and change. If you put emotions over business needs then it may not align with overall objective. Organization dont care abt women or men specific traits, its all abt the numbers.
