Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Michele Madansky
Jun 5, 2019
Michele Madansky, an independent market research consultant and expert in digital media, discusses her pivotal work on harassment in tech, notably her study 'Elephant in the Valley.' She explores how the landscape has shifted since the original study, revealing persistent issues and surprising areas of improvement. Madansky shares optimistic insights on Gen Z's changing perspectives towards gender roles and the importance of inclusive corporate cultures. She also addresses concerns about #MeToo fatigue while providing actionable advice for tech companies.
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Origin of Elephant in the Valley
- Michele Madansky's involvement in the Elephant in the Valley project began after Trey Vassallo testified in the Ellen Pao trial.
- This led to a collaborative research effort surveying senior women in Silicon Valley about their experiences with harassment.
Cross-Industry Comparison
- The initial survey revealed that 60% of women in tech experienced unwanted sexual advances.
- This was compared with data from other sectors like advertising (54%), automotive (65%), and market research (35%).
Khosla's Argument
- Vinod Khosla argued that many industries have harassment issues.
- Madansky believes comparing across industries is crucial to show how tech compares and if it deters women from entering the field.
