Powerful Offenders
In case you’ve possibly managed to miss this in the news, here’s a recap: A powerful man in Hollywood, a boss of sorts, promised to make or break dozens of women’s movie careers for sexual favors; probably more than the 40 who’ve already come forward. Regardless of what happens legally, the entertainment industry has changed for the better already.
This isn’t the first industry to be completely rocked by a systematic mistreatment of women. The video game industry went through a similar crisis in the mid-to-late 2000’s. It’s not perfect yet, but improvements are being made within it. I imagine Hollywood will follow a similar pattern. Every business, every business person, and pretty much everyone in the world has their own horror stories.
Things will trend to the better – and here are some ideas on how you can help it along and protect yourself along the way.
Don’t Change the Good
I read an article the other day that got me thinking about this topic. Like terrorist attacks, letting events like these regress your culture means you’re surrendering to the problem. The article reports that, out of fear of reputational risk, investors are avoiding female entrepreneurs. This means women are missing out on opportunities merely because they’re women.
Instead, best policy might be to go in pairs. Fewer shenanigans tend to happen while there are other witnesses, although it’s not a guarantee. Still, it’s enough for even Tinder to recommend. Actually – first date protocols that the world’s largest hook-up site recommends, translate nicely into first business meeting protocol too.
Teach the Future Assaulter How to Not
It’s not the skirt’s fault that someone was assaulted. It’s not the victim’s fault for choosing to wear those boots. It’s always, without fail, the assaulter’s fault that the assault occurred.
In the long term, society will only change through education. Men (and women, however much rarer it is) need to educate themselves and teach their children about respect for themselves and for others. Without someone starting a change in the cycle, the cycle will continue! Be the one who starts the changes of the future.
Out Them
On Twitter, the hashtag #meToo has emboldened women (and men too!) to out the people in power who have harassed, or worse. It’s not always used to name names, but it probably should be. People are finding strength in the numbers of people who are also sharing.
In our culture, people believe they can get away with it, so the trend continues. If it’s within the company, your human resources executive is probably the best bet to approach with any grievances, or the police for business leaders (and employees alike) if a greater measure is required. Yes, there is a trend of victim blaming, but, hopefully, the usual culprits will have read an article like this and want to be the change for the future.
Having any kind of sexual harassment happen to you is scary enough, but as a business leader you have not only your own future to worry about, you have your business’ as well. Societal change isn’t instantaneous, workplace change is somewhat easier, and personal change is the fastest to implement. It begins with awareness, then the courage to act, and a commitment to stay on that path no matter what — for your own sake, and others.
Reese Witherspoon, one of the many celebrity voices on this issue, said: “There is what seems like an impenetrable wall of silence around sexual harassment and we must all play a role in breaking that.”
Quebec actor, Guillaume Wagner, said similarly: ““When men break lives, the least we can do is to break the silence.”
Sarah Pearce is a professional speaker, business coach, social strategist and author of Online Reputation: Your Most Valuable Asset in a Digital Age.
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