60-40 gender balance -- in either direction -- makes for a blessedly sane workplace atmosphere.
Most women I know dislike overwhelmingly female work environments, and most of the men hate overwhelmingly male ones. A balance of genders is honestly a relief to most people.
Most women I know dislike overwhelmingly female work environments, and most of the men hate overwhelmingly male ones. A balance of genders is honestly a relief to most people.
This is a surprise to some, bc many people have gendered friend groups. But it makes sense if you think about it.
You go to work to do a *job*. You want peace, quiet, a neutral zone. All-male and all-female groups are pathological extremes, tho differently. It's distracting.
You go to work to do a *job*. You want peace, quiet, a neutral zone. All-male and all-female groups are pathological extremes, tho differently. It's distracting.
There is this weird, hilarious scene I have seen play out god knows how many times.
MAN ANNOUNCES: "I am ready! I wish to hire WOMAN ENGINEERS."
*crickets*
MAN, CONFUSED, to all women within earshot: "I wish to hire women, where are they? I want to give them an equal shot!"
MAN ANNOUNCES: "I am ready! I wish to hire WOMAN ENGINEERS."
*crickets*
MAN, CONFUSED, to all women within earshot: "I wish to hire women, where are they? I want to give them an equal shot!"
Fast forward six months. Team still entirely male. MAN LAMENTS: "why won't women apply? No wonder there's no women in leadership, if they won't even put themselves forward to apply for a job like a guy does."
Man decides women just aren't aggressive enough, stops trying.
Man decides women just aren't aggressive enough, stops trying.
(I'm being pretty generous here, skipping over the ones who fail via overtly hostile culture or interview.)
Here's the thing. Knowledgeable technical women are a scarce resource in high demand. And what does capitalism teach us about those?
💵💵💵💰💎💰💰💴💵💸💎💰💶💷💳💎
Here's the thing. Knowledgeable technical women are a scarce resource in high demand. And what does capitalism teach us about those?
💵💵💵💰💎💰💰💴💵💸💎💰💶💷💳💎
You are gonna have to invest the time and energy to research, build relationships, and recruit them, just like you do for directors, subject matter experts, and other key talent. And possibly pay a premium on top of that.
But you shouldnt do it for that woman's sake.
But you shouldnt do it for that woman's sake.
(She probably has nineteen other offers; she is gonna be fiiiiine.)
Think of it as investing in the gender balanced environment that attracts and retains top talent. Think of it as an investment in the kind of calm, neutral space that unleashes your team's best creative selves.
Think of it as investing in the gender balanced environment that attracts and retains top talent. Think of it as an investment in the kind of calm, neutral space that unleashes your team's best creative selves.
Guys are really fucking sick of male dominated teams. Your best senior engineers, the ones with the most leadership skills and potential, are really fucking ashamed of your all-guy teams. They want to work someplace more modern. Someplace they can show their kids around.
I know this because they won't fucking shut up about it, and they keep trying to come work at honeycomb. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (lucky for you we can't hire them all and want a mix of levels. :p)
It's worth the premium. Oh, and *hire junior women* -- way less competing for the attention.
It's worth the premium. Oh, and *hire junior women* -- way less competing for the attention.
