Wisdom From The Top with Guy Raz cover image

Wisdom From The Top with Guy Raz

Machiavelli for Women: Stacey Vanek Smith

Jan 3, 2024
Stacey Vanek Smith, a journalist with years of experience in business and economics, discusses her book 'Machiavelli for Women' where she explores how Niccolò Machiavelli's principles can empower women in the workplace. She covers the challenges women face, such as underrepresentation in leadership roles and the gender pay gap, and offers strategies to overcome them. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of individual action, building support networks, and making decisions that align with personal values.
49:35

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Women can leverage the bias that they are more likely to be seen positively when advocating on behalf of others, creating a collaborative environment and increasing their chances of success in negotiations.
  • Building a strong support network, including mentors, sponsors, and colleagues, is crucial for women in the workplace, as it not only strengthens their position but also establishes relationships that increase the likelihood of being advocated for and supported in their career growth.

Deep dives

The Cinderella Syndrome: Overcoming Gender Bias in the Workplace

The Cinderella syndrome refers to the bias that women face in the workplace, where they tend to be promoted based on their past work rather than their potential. This is because society often associates ideal feminine qualities, such as compassion and selflessness, with being a good woman, but not with leadership qualities. To overcome this bias, women can leverage the fact that they are more likely to be seen positively when advocating on behalf of others. By presenting a story of a potential future with their employer and highlighting how their goals align with the company's objectives, women can create a collaborative environment and make the negotiation less adversarial, increasing their chances of success.

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