Episode 215 - Danielle Strickland Says Women and Men Are Better Together
Aug 23, 2022
auto_awesome
In this engaging conversation, spiritual leader and justice advocate Danielle Strickland, along with entrepreneur Liz Bohannan, discuss the importance of collaboration between women and men in transforming society. Strickland shares insights from her book "Better Together," emphasizing how embracing differences can heal divides. They tackle gender bias in entrepreneurship, the cultural challenges from movements like Me Too, and advocate for shared leadership as a divine design. Their dialogue inspires listeners to envision a brighter, more inclusive future.
Faith-driven entrepreneurship necessitates a strong identity rooted in faith rather than financial success to navigate personal and professional challenges.
Collaborative partnerships between men and women are essential in entrepreneurship, fostering inclusivity and transforming organizations through diverse perspectives.
Promoting equitable representation of women in leadership is crucial, as it alleviates tokenism and enhances overall team effectiveness in organizations.
Deep dives
Creating Value Through Entrepreneurship
Humans have a unique ability to create value by building and innovating, setting them apart from other creatures. This opportunity becomes particularly poignant in the context of the speaker's experience in entrepreneurship, where they faced a personal and financial struggle after selling a successful company. The transition out of that venture highlighted the importance of having a deep-rooted identity based in faith rather than money. The journey illustrated the need for faith-driven entrepreneurs to recognize their divine purpose and understand what God has equipped them to accomplish.
Importance of Collaboration Between Genders
A key theme discussed is the necessity for men and women to work together collaboratively, particularly in entrepreneurial spaces and faith communities. The conversation discourages the notion of an adversarial dynamic between genders, instead promoting a balanced partnership that leads to shared flourishing. Historical patterns of gender inequality in leadership highlight the need to embrace diverse perspectives to foster a more inclusive environment. The approach underscores that genuine teamwork between men and women can yield transformative outcomes for organizations and society.
Navigating Challenges in Leadership
Danielle Strickland shares her experiences of facing difficult situations within faith communities, particularly about handling issues of sexual harassment and leadership failure. The emphasis is placed on the need for leaders to engage actively in creating environments where women can thrive rather than retreating into segregation. Strickland highlights how the common response to such challenges often involves distancing from women, which only further complicates matters. Instead, fostering open discussions and maintaining accountability is essential for healing and progress in leadership.
The Consequences of Tokenism
Tokenism often occurs when organizations include women merely to fulfill diversity quotas without genuinely addressing inclusion. This can lead to an 'only' syndrome where the singular female voice feels marginalized and pressured to represent an entire gender, which can result in burnout. Strickland emphasizes the importance of maintaining a 30% representation of women in leadership, which can positively shift organizational culture and encourage more equitable practices. Creating an authentic environment where women feel valued not only benefits the individuals but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the team.
Changing Perceptions and Priorities
The need to shift cultural perceptions surrounding women's roles in the workplace is paramount to creating inclusive environments. The notion that women must prioritize career versus family reflects outdated biases that do not recognize the contributions of fathers as caregivers. Encouraging flexible work arrangements and supportive policies can benefit everyone, thereby creating a more sustainable workplace. Ultimately, fostering an understanding that both parents share responsibilities can lead to a healthier work-life balance and better organizational dynamics.
Together with speaker and entrepreneur Liz Bohannan, this episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast is one of a three-part series focusing on female founders and business owners who are pursuing entrepreneurship in different industries. Today, our conversation is with spiritual leader, author, and justice advocate Danielle Strickland. She has written several books and we’re going to spend much of our time talking about her newest title “Better Together: How Women and Men Can Heal the Divide and Work Together to Transform the Future.” Join us for an impassioned discussion about imagining a better world, embracing our differences as women and men, finding ways to end oppression, and learning how to work better together.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode