Wed, Nov 18, 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM (PT)
What if the traits that move careers forward are not the ones we were taught to reward?
In The Athena Doctrine: How Women (and the Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future, brand strategist John Gerzema and journalist Michael D'Antonio start with this large question and back it with data. They surveyed 64,000 people in 13 countries, with the majority of respondents stating traits usually seen as "feminine" are the ones most needed in modern leaders. These include empathy, collaboration, flexibility, patience, honesty, and long-term thinking.
The authors then traveled the world to find leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations led by both men and women, already working this way. The book's main argument is that these are leadership traits anyone can build, not gender specific traits.
Finance may be the industry where this debate matters most:
- Risk and long-term thinking. Since 2008, the industry has faced hard questions about overconfidence, short-termism, and incentive structures. The book's focus on patience and long horizons fits with fiduciary duty and sound risk management.
- Collaboration over the "star" model. Investment decisions are increasingly made by teams, whether in portfolio management, research, or due diligence. The ability to combine different views may matter more than individual bravado.
- Client trust. Honesty, empathy, and listening lie at the heart of advisory and client relationships. Firms that win and keep mandates tend to be the ones client’s trust.
- Career strategy. For women in finance, the book offers both validation and a challenge. How do we use these “feminine” trait strengths without being pigeonholed?
Please join us for a thoughtful and lively discussion as we explore how men and women alike can build effective leadership skills that advance not only their careers but also their personal growth. Together, we'll challenge the stereotypes that label strengths as "masculine" or "feminine" and celebrate the qualities that make all of us better leaders.
Everyone is welcome, whether you have finished the book, skimmed it or are simply curious about the topic!
About the Author(s):
John Gerzema is CEO of The Harris Poll and a New York Times bestselling author. He is a pollster and brand strategist who uses large-scale consumer research to spot shifts in culture, values, and leadership.
Michael D'Antonio is a journalist and bestselling author, and he shared a Pulitzer Prize as part of a Newsday reporting team. He has written widely on business, leadership, and American culture.
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