Emotional male leaders, a 60-hour workweek, and protecting crooks 🦹♀️
News at the intersection of business and feminism
It’s a tired trope that women are “too emotional” for leadership roles. One that’s likely responsible for the US never having a president named Shirley, Hillary, or Kamala.
And yet, last Friday the world witnessed a presidential exchange worthy of a reality TV show when JD Vance and Trump attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskkyy for “not being very thankful.”
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the moment, which galvanized European support for Ukraine and solidly put America into the role of Russian ally.
It’s also a study in how not to lead, and in how male power is systemically supported.
It was a temper tantrum by a grown man who demands that others grovel at his feet to make him feel important. But that’s not how many American politicians and media framed it.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there’s “a new sheriff in town,” The New York Times tepidly called it “a showdown,” and UK Prime Minister Starmer said “a positive outcome” could still be reached.
The moment is representative of what America’s professional women know all too well—unqualified white men get into leadership positions, make colossal mistakes, treat everyone around them poorly, and are rewarded with praise, raises, and promotions.
All the while, women (most especially Black women) are systemically kept from those same roles unless they re-create the toxic masculine vision of leadership. Even then, they often face harsher expectations and judgment.
That’s what we’re here to change, and never has the need be made more clear than last Friday’s meltdown in the Oval Office.
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Now onto this week’s roundup…
Tariffs (taxes) on imports from three of the US’ biggest trading partners—China, Mexico and Canada—are now in effect (and more are expected next month). In response, the stock market tumbled, other countries retaliated, and prices are expected to go up. The changes will cost the typical U.S. family $1,200 a year, but also harm businesses that will try to absorb some of the costs.
💩 is hitting the 🪭 across the government, including the Small Business Administration under new administrator Kelly Loeffler. She committed to stepping up collections of delinquent loans, pausing or reducing some loans, eliminating DEIA programs and workers, reversing climate-protection goals, and more.
This administration is only interested in helping billionaires and fraudsters, not regular small business likes yours. Further proof is the news that the US Treasury is ending enforcement of its business ownership database meant to stop the formation of shell companies. The move will make it more difficult for the government to track down money launderers and other criminals.
Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, said in a memo sent to all employees that a 60-hour workweek is the “sweet spot” for productivity. That would set workers’ rights back nearly 100 years. Don’t fall for it! You and your teams deserve better.
There may be an illegal Executive Order making English the official language of the US, but private business owners needn’t comply in advance. Continue to use your power to be of service to the 43 million Spanish speakers (and, of course, other tongues) in America.
Should you freeze your credit cards to protect your data in the age of DOGE? Probably (and this article shares a few other helpful tips for your finances).
Nearly one in four Americans (24%) say keeping their home clean is more difficult than their full-time job. We can definitely relate 🤣
An Australian man whose blood had a rare antibody, which potentially saved more than 2 million babies, has died at age 88. “I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks,” he said. What a hero!
It’s not your imagination: LinkedIn is getting a lot more attention from brands, including becoming a hot spot for fashion labels trying to push more product.
This week on Messy Liberation, Becky & Taina discuss how the fragile male ego is the source of so many of the problems currently plaguing America.
The stock market is tanking and tariffs are going to spike prices. If paying down your debt is becoming a priority for 2025, then don't miss this free workshop that Meg Wheeler of the Equitable Money Project and I are hosting this Thursday. Let us help you start making a dent in that debt (without judgment or shame!).
Piermont Bank is a shining example of women in charge. Women make up 78% of the board of directors (7 of 9 seats), compared to just 30% of most corporate boards Bank founder Wendy Cai-Lee said she didn’t intentionally seek to create a women-led board. “I was so focused on finding the best board to help me,” she said. But she also understands that diversity improves board effectiveness. Let’s hope other companies continue to resist the current administration’s anti-DEI efforts not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do.
Remember, the personal and professional are political. Our work can be our activism, and you don’t have to be in the fight alone. Join us as a paid subscriber to find a community committed to challenging the toxic changes hitting the business landscape.
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Yours in solidarity,
Becky & Faith