Political scientist Farida Jalalzai and organizational psychologist Laura Morgan Roberts unpack the symbolic and practical effects of having a woman in a top leadership position. They explore how Kamala Harris’s potential presidency could challenge and shift our notions of leadership and change the way that women understand what’s possible for themselves. They also dive into the realities Harris might face if elected—like juggling high expectations and navigating the complexities of representation.
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You're listening to Women at Work from Harvard Business Review.
I'm Amy Bernstein.
And I'm Amy Gallo.
Welcome to season 10 of our show.
It was hard to imagine starting this season with any other topic than the possibility that Kamala Harris might become the first female President of the United States.
And the question of what her presidency would mean to us, what we as working women stand to gain or lose in terms of status and power, and perhaps even more importantly, our sense of possibility.
I guess the question here is, what's the true value of representation?
We know there's value in seeing people like yourself in positions of power.
It allows you to imagine yourself in those same roles.
I actually once, way back, thought I might be in VP Harris's shoes.
My diary from the second grade had a blank line in the inside cover where you were supposed to write your name and I wrote, Amy Gallo, first female President of the United States.
Amy, that image of ambitious 8 year old you gives me so much joy.
Yeah, I definitely did not understand what.
It would take to achieve that goal.
Clearly, but I love that I thought it was possible.
And I know that 8 year old me would have been thrilled watching the enthusiasm and excitement around VP Harris's campaign and knowing that there have been a number of women who have been in the running for this position.
But I can also see little me, hand on hip, head tilted, asking what took so long?
When you shared these thoughts in the Women at Work newsletter, several readers responded with their own reflections.