Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky

Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men: Closing The Authority Gap with Mary Ann Sieghart

Jan 21, 2025
Mary Ann Sieghart, an accomplished journalist and author of 'The Authority Gap,' tackles the ongoing bias against women in her enlightening discussion. She reveals why women are often underestimated, citing issues like infantilization and interruptions. Sieghart explores societal norms affecting perceptions and proposes actionable solutions to reduce unconscious bias. The conversation touches on online harassment and the challenges women face in leadership roles, urging a cultural shift towards genuine gender equality.
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ANECDOTE

Authority Gap Anecdote

  • Mary Ann Sieghart shared how a man called her a "busy little girl" despite her impressive career at age 50.
  • This exemplifies the everyday authority gap women endure where their competence is infantilized based on gender.
INSIGHT

Women’s Inputs Undervalued

  • Research shows groups use information six times more often when introduced by men rather than women.
  • Women have to fight much harder to gain influence in mixed groups even on topics stereotypically linked to females.
INSIGHT

Early IQ Underestimation of Girls

  • Parents estimate boys’ IQ higher than girls’ despite girls outperforming boys at all education levels.
  • These false beliefs embed early, causing boys to see themselves as smarter and girls as less competent.
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