Beyond breaking the glass ceiling with Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister
4Digest
In this episode of the "WorkLife" podcast, Adam Grant interviews Julia Gillard, Australia's first and only female Prime Minister. They discuss her iconic 2012 misogyny speech, where she powerfully denounced misogynistic attacks against her by the opposition leader. Gillard shares her experiences navigating the challenges of women in leadership, including the "Mama Barifact" phenomenon, where women are perceived as more competent and likable when advocating for others, and the "glass cliff," where women are more likely to be appointed to leadership positions during times of crisis or risk. They also explore the "Tall Poppy Syndrome," an Australian cultural phenomenon where individuals who achieve success or prominence are criticized or resented. The conversation delves into the importance of challenging unconscious bias and promoting empathy in leadership to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Gillard emphasizes the need for a critical mass of women in leadership roles to break down stereotypes and create a more equitable society. The episode concludes with a lightning round where Gillard answers rapid-fire questions about career advice, unpopular opinions, predictions for the future, and Australian culture.
Outlines
Julia Gillard on Misogyny, Leadership, and the Future of Gender Equality
Adam Grant interviews Julia Gillard, Australia's first and only female Prime Minister, about her iconic misogyny speech, the challenges of women in leadership, and the future of gender equality. They discuss the "Mama Barifact," the glass cliff, and the importance of challenging unconscious bias.
Lightning Round with Julia Gillard
Adam Grant asks Julia Gillard a series of rapid-fire questions, covering topics like career advice, unpopular opinions, predictions for the future, and Australian culture.
Keywords
Misogyny Speech
Julia Gillard's 2012 speech in the Australian Parliament, where she powerfully denounced misogynistic attacks against her by the opposition leader. It became a landmark moment in the fight against sexism and misogyny.
Mama Barifact
A term used to describe the phenomenon where women are perceived as more competent and likable when advocating for others, rather than themselves. This allows them to appear strong without compromising their perceived nurturing qualities.
Glass Cliff
A phenomenon where women are more likely to be appointed to leadership positions during times of crisis or risk. This can lead to a higher likelihood of failure, as they are often set up to fail.
Tall Poppy Syndrome
An Australian cultural phenomenon where individuals who achieve success or prominence are criticized or resented. It is seen as a force for humility, but can also be a constraint on excellence.
Gender Equality
The state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making.
Unconscious Bias
Subconscious prejudices or stereotypes that can influence our thoughts, actions, and decisions without our conscious awareness.
Leadership
The ability to influence and guide others towards a common goal.
Q&A
What is the worst career advice you've ever gotten?
Julia Gillard was advised to join the public sector and get a career government law job because it would be safe and provide a good pension. She rejected this advice and pursued a more dynamic career path.
What is the one thing you would change if you had all the power in the world?
Julia Gillard would eliminate dehumanization, erasing the capacity to view another person without appreciating their complexity, richness of life, and inherent dignity.
How do we create a world that is less unfair for women and men?
Julia Gillard emphasizes the importance of challenging unconscious bias, promoting empathy in leadership, and creating a more inclusive and distributed system of power. She also highlights the need for a critical mass of women in leadership roles to break down stereotypes and create a more equitable society.
Show Notes
Julia Gillard served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 2010 to 2013. During her tenure as the first woman to hold that role, she gave an electrifying speech about sexism and how it impacts all women, even those in power. Since then, she has continued to fight for gender equality. In this interview, she opens up about the challenges faced by women in leadership positions and the reactions to her viral speech. She also talks about the causes of deepening gender divides, how feminism also benefits men, and the qualities great leaders should embody regardless of how they identify.
Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
An excerpt from Julia Gillard's 2020 speech was used in this episode. The clip was sourced from the Commonwealth of Australia, and is used under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 AU.
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