Unfiltered! The Leadership Gender “Rules” That Hurt EVERYONE | The Empathy Edge

What if the biggest barrier to great leadership isn't talent or ambition—but outdated rules we've never stopped to question? In this episode of The Empathy Edge, Maria Ross sits down with applied behavioral scientist, CEO, and Chief Truth Teller Mitch Shepard for a candid conversation about authentic leadership, workplace equity, and the courage to challenge systems that no longer serve us. Mitch shares why organizations need to stop trying to "fix women" and instead address the structures and expectations that limit everyone. Together, they explore the balance between masculine and feminine leadership traits, how societal norms shape our understanding of success, and why embracing our full humanity leads to better leadership and stronger teams. Maria and Mitch discuss: Why leaders must stop performing and start telling the truth How outdated workplace systems impact both men and women The power of balancing masculine and feminine leadership qualities How societal expectations shape leadership behaviors Selling your strengths when they don't fit traditional norms Creating environments where people are valued for who they truly are “If you observe environments, it turns out men really are more likely to have the masculine traits in excess or higher quantities, women are more likely to have feminine ones. But this is where the narrative has to shift. None of us are off the hook on learning ALL the skills.” — Mitch Shepard About Mitch Shepard: Mitch Shepard is an Applied Behavioral Scientist, CEO of HUMiN, Inc., author, speaker, and trusted advisor to leaders across Fortune 500 companies, startups, and biotech organizations. She helps leaders navigate complexity through truth-telling, behavioral science, and authentic leadership. Connect with Mitch: Website: humininc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mitchshepard Instagram: @mitchshepard Connect with Maria Ross: Website: Red-Slice.com LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria #TheEmpathyEdge #MariaRoss #MitchShepard #Leadership #AuthenticLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #WomenInLeadership #Empathy #BehavioralScience #Podcast