The Weight of Power and the Risk of Silence: My Evening at the French Ambassador's Residence

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of "The Authority Gap" with insights from Mary Ann Sieghart. We explore her personal experiences and discuss the intersection of corporate culture, operational strategy, and the irony of innovation within diplomatic contexts. The conversation highlights critical issues such as the invisible taxation on women founders, emphasizing the need for systemic change. The episode underscores the importance of disrupting from within to foster inclusivity and equity. Closing remarks reflect on these themes, offering a call to action for listeners to engage in meaningful transformation.

Chapters:

0:00

Introduction to the episode and its theme

1:21

Mary Ann Sieghart's talk and personal experiences on "The Authority Gap"

2:35

Corporate culture, operational strategy, and the irony of innovation in diplomatic settings

3:47

Critical issues and invisible taxation on women founders

4:52

The importance of disrupting from within and closing remarks

Key Points:

• Transformative networking strategies are essential for elevating women entrepreneurs globally.
• The authority gap in the workplace erodes company culture and stifles creativity, disadvantaging not just women but entire organizations.
• True progress in diversity and inclusion requires power redistribution and a critical examination of who leads, allocates capital, and sets the culture.

Transcript:

Welcome to Beyond Tech Frontiers, where we delve deep into the mechanics of disruptive innovation, market trends, the future of work, and ethical technology. I'm your host, Sabine VanderLinden, and today, we're embarking on a reflective journey inspired by an evening spent at the French Ambassador's residence in London. This episode, "The Weight of Power and the Risk of Silence," promises to shed light on the subtle yet profound shifts in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Stepping into the French Ambassador's residence is like walking into a space where history meets the present. It's regal, ornate, and proud of its heritage. But the conversations unfolding within those walls challenged the institutions they represented. As a Frenchwoman who has called the United Kingdom home for 30 years, I was thrilled to be part of an event designed by La French Tech London. It was an evening that balanced politeness with provocation, an opportunity to reconnect with friends like Raph and Mathilde, and a platform to explore transformative networking strategies to elevate French women entrepreneurs globally.

One of the evening's highlights was Mary Ann Sieghart's talk on "The Authority Gap." Her insights should be mandatory listening for anyone at the executive level. Her evidence was irrefutable, shedding light on the biases that persist in the workplace. Why do we see trans people facing real-time bias as they transition, or why do women's ideas often gain traction only when echoed by a male voice? These aren't just anecdotes; they're patterns deeply embedded in our cultures.

Even as someone seasoned in navigating boardroom bravado, I recognized moments when I let this authority gap persist. I've been talked over by male peers countless times, an experience shared by many women in leadership. These gaps don't just disadvantage women; they erode cultures from within, bleeding companies of talent and creativity. Over the years, I've learned to speak louder, to assert myself in spaces where my identity might challenge others. It's become a badge of honor to be seen as a Frenchwoman in finance, insurance, and tech, even if it comes with the occasional dismissive comment.

Mary Ann's message to companies struck a chord: stop sending women to "confidence-building" courses and start sending men to "find your ears" workshops. We don't need 'fix-her' solutions. We need to re-engineer corporate cultures that reward quiet excellence over performative masculinity. This isn't just feminist idealism; it's sound operational strategy. Companies that close the authority gap outperform their peers, attracting sharper minds and building trust with a new generation of customers who demand genuine equity.

The irony of discussing innovation and equity within a building steeped in diplomatic legacy wasn't lost on me. Yet, this contrast emerged a powerful message: change must be challenged from within. The French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hélène Duchêne, supported this initiative, along with brilliant women like Mathilde Bacholle and Emilie Bellet. These voices are unapologetic, building funds and scaling businesses that center on user needs often ignored by male-dominated venture capitalists.

But amid the progress, there's a darker side: the invisible taxation on women founders and general partners, the emotional labor of over-explaining, and the scrutiny in rooms dominated by men who rely on instinct and ego rather than data. We need to move beyond diversity as a goal. The true measure of progress is power redistribution—who leads, who allocates capital, and who sets the culture. Anything less is performative inclusion.

This evening at the Ambassador's residence inspired me to focus on the critical issues facing women in business. The United Kingdom and France aim to lead in global innovation but must scrutinize who they fund and how they hire. If you're a venture capitalist asking, "Where are the women?" you're part of the problem. If you're a board member blind to pay gaps, you're stalling progress. And if you're a founder staying silent, you're complicit.

The most radical act isn't just speaking out; it's disrupting from within. I left the Ambassador's residence feeling hopeful and ready to tackle these challenges. Thank you, Raph, Mathilde, and Emilie, for an evening that redefined inclusive and sustainable innovation. There's much more to do to align technology and business models with the needs of our future world, and I know we're up to the task.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of Beyond Tech Frontiers. I hope it has sparked some thoughts and perhaps inspired some action. Until next time, keep challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of innovation. Goodbye for now!