How to Reboot Tech Culture So Women Are Seen, Heard, and Promoted | Telle Whitney

Описание: What does it really take to reboot tech culture so women can lead without pretending to be someone they’re not?

In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, Limor Bergman Gross sits down with Telle Whitney, co-founder of the Grace Hopper Celebration and author of Rebooting Tech Culture, to break down why so many capable women in tech feel overlooked and what actually helps change that.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the systems, behaviors, and myths that still shape leadership in tech today. From the illusion of meritocracy to why confidence is often confused with loudness, Telle shares practical insights for women who want to grow their influence, visibility, and impact without burning out.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why tech culture still rewards the wrong signals
• How quiet and introverted leaders can be seen as confident
• Why meritocracy often fails women in practice
• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship
• How to speak up in loud rooms without changing your personality
• What leaders can do to create healthier, more inclusive teams

This episode is for women in tech who know they’re capable but feel like the system wasn’t built with them in mind.

Chapters:
00:00 Why tech culture needs a reboot
02:31 The “tech genius” myth and why it hurts women
05:00 Why meritocracy breaks down in practice
09:30 Handling disrespectful behavior on teams
13:05 Confidence vs extraversion in leadership
16:28 How to promote yourself without changing who you are
18:49 Mentorship vs sponsorship and why it matters
22:07 How quiet leaders can speak up in loud rooms
24:36 Why feedback to women is often vague
28:34 The myth of “just do great work”
30:51 How ERGs and communities accelerate careers
35:56 What’s next for Telle Whitney

About Telle Whitney:
Telle Whitney is the author of Rebooting Tech Culture, co-founder of the Grace Hopper Celebration, and former CEO of the Anita Borg Institute. She has spent decades shaping conversations around leadership, inclusion, and culture in the technology industry.

📘 Learn more about Telle Whitney:
👉 https://www.tellewhitney.com/rebootin...
👉   / telle-whitney  

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ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

From a Woman to a Leader is a podcast dedicated to discussing the unique challenges women face in tech leadership and providing actionable tips to help overcome those challenges and grow your career in the tech industry.