How Identity Has Influenced A Producer's Career At A Major Media Company
Danielle, a producer at a major media company, shared that navigating a male-dominated industry requires adapting communication styles to avoid being perceived negatively, "walking this fine line...of being firm...without coming across as a b***h." Success also involves proactively creating inclusive opportunities for others, countering the "boys club" dynamic.
Communication Styles, Gender Dynamics in the Workplace, Leadership and Mentorship, Navigating Workplace Politics, Creating Inclusive Environments
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Danielle Witz
Producer
Major Media Company
Occidental College
History, Art History
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. To succeed in a male-dominated industry, women may need to adapt their communication style, being more strategic and less direct to avoid being perceived negatively.
2. It's important for women in leadership positions to create opportunities for others who may not fit the typical mold, promoting inclusivity within the workplace.
3. Seek mentorship from women already working in the field to gain valuable insights and advice on navigating gender dynamics in the industry
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
I want to give a really honest answer. This is advice I received from other women in my industry, which can sometimes be a bit of a boys' club.
You have to be aware that you unfortunately have to tailor your communication and behavior differently. You have to learn to play the game with people.
You are always walking a fine line, especially in leadership, between being firm and holding your ground without coming across as a b*tch. This is cliché but very real.
Sometimes you can't be as direct as you'd like. You have to be savvier and smarter with your communication. You need to learn how to give feedback differently and hold boundaries in rooms differently than men in my industry sometimes can.
They have the freedom to be very bullish, direct, and aggressive. In my mind, that's more emotional, but we're not allowed to say that. There's a different standard of communication you're held to.
I wish it weren't that way, but the reality is that it is. You have to learn how to navigate that.
If you are in a leadership position, it's important to create opportunities for people who aren't the typical "friend of a friend" hires. This is crucial when you're trying to make the space more inclusive, as it sometimes isn't.
That's my very honest answer. I was lucky to have female mentors who were real with me and gave me similar advice. It has definitely been true for me. I hope it changes, but it's something to be aware of going into this industry.