Leadership and Roles Holding Women Back in Cyber

The Cyber Queens Podcast

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

In this episode, The Cyber Queens discuss the difference of how men act in the work vs how women act in the workforce. Women are often forced into limited roles born from a need to over-prove themselves or they are “mom guilted” into picking up more than their fair share of team slack. For decades women have been held back in their careers by inherent biases but we focus on how this applies to the cyber field. The Queens also share give specific examples of how this has happened to them throughout their careers. It’s important to note that women do not only do this to themselves or make it up in their heads. There are certain types of leadership who are more than willing to enable and exploit these mindsets and traditional roles. But the Queens share strategies on how to combat being held back and unbalanced workloads. If you’ve ever felt like you have been held back or constantly have to overprove yourself just know you are NOT alone!!!!
Key Topics:

• How Women Act In The Workforce
• Types Of Leadership Who Take Advantage Of Women & Minorities Resulting In Holding Them Back
• Women Tend to Have To Over Prove Themselves In Cyber
• Consequences Faced When Women do Over Prove Themselves
• Women Often Expected To Be A Pretty Face for the Team
• Men Can Be Lax BUT Women Are Still Expected To Over Prove Themselves
• Why Are Women’s Strengths Used Against Them?
• Women Are Viewed As A Threat vs An Asset
• Women Are Often “Left Out” Of Male Groups/Departments
• Bias Paradox – Women Shy Away From Things A Man Wouldn’t
• Strategies To Combat Being Held Back & Over Proving Yourself

Sources:

• Zoom Communications: https://zoom.us/
• Blackhat Security Conference: https://www.blackhat.com/
• Amber DeVilbiss’ (@engineeramber) TikTok “What It’s Like Being In Tech Sales”: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRxYArV6/
• Horrible Bosses: https://tinyurl.com/msfmw9t9

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

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Chapters

1. Introductions (00:00:00)

2. How Women Act In The Workforce & Feel They Have To Over Perform (00:01:00)

3. Sharing Individual Experiences in Sales, Red Teams, and SOCs (00:02:25)

4. Being the "Booth Babe" at BlackHat (00:05:32)

5. Perpetuating These Roles from Leadership (00:08:58)

6. Women’s Strengths Are Used Against Them (00:12:11)

7. Bias Paradox – Women Shy Away From Things A Man Wouldn’t (00:17:12)

8. Positive Leadership at Zoom from Maril (00:18:10)

9. Strategies To Combat Being Held Back (00:19:40)

10. Final Thoughts (00:26:10)