Breaking Down the "Bro Culture": Creating a More Inclusive Tech Environment

The prevalence of "bro culture" in the tech industry has created a hostile environment for many, particularly women and people from marginalised groups. This toxic culture, characterised by discriminatory behaviour and a lack of empathy, not only limits diversity but also stifles innovation and creativity.

How do we get the ‘bro culture’ out of tech?

The DiversIT Charter is fortunate to have access to an exceptional team of experts through our working group. We asked them to address the pervasive "bro culture" in tech, and suggest ways it can be combatted.

Gillian and Marina advocate for educating managers about ethical leadership and the impact of microaggressions.

Gillian: Educate the managers about ethical leadership.? Ethical leadership will create watchful managers who understand the impact of micro behaviours and microaggressions and can put a stop to them before they escalate.

Marina: We have to educate the managers on ethical behaviour at work. Hard to do, I know.

Petra, Raquel and Sabine stress the importance of achieving gender parity in teams, which naturally dilutes the dominance of any single culture.

Petra: The most impactful way would be by having more women. Having parity in teams will slowly dismantle that bro culture because it will no longer be accepted and demanded.

Raquel: Organisations need to implement no-tolerance policies for discrimination and promote diversity training. It’s important to foster inclusive workplaces with mixed/diverse groups, including both women and men.

Sabine: Management?and staff should participate in training which outlines how a very competitive masculine culture is counterproductive. There also needs to be a transparent and accessible reporting process that helps all staff to know their worth and feel comfortable resolving issues when they arise. Gender-mixed teams also need a team leader who has gender neutral behaviour. One final part is ensuring equal treatment in career development opportunities. When the organisation treats women equitably, that’s when we can expect the workers to do the same.

Nurcan underscores the need for societal change, where both women and men are educated about the importance of gender diversity and equality in tech.

Nurcan: There are many women who still believe that technology is a man's job, and they need to be convinced they are just as capable as men before we can make significant progress. To challenge societal norms that favour male leadership, we must promote gender equality in education, support women's participation in the workforce and leadership roles, and raise awareness among both men and women about gender bias and the importance of diversity in leadership.

For Priska, facilitating organisation-wide acceptance of the benefits of diverse teams is key.

Priska: It’s important that the whole organisation accepts the change and understands the benefit of a diverse team. It can also be beneficial to foster the exchange of information and sharing of best practices among companies that have successfully done this change.

In the meantime, Skevi reflects on how hard it is for some women working in toxic environments.

Skevi: It's unacceptable for anyone to endure bullying, harassment, or disrespect in the workplace. Women must have the self-confidence to recognise that such behaviour is wrong and they should feel empowered to take a stand against it. Additionally, women should support one another by sharing their experiences, addressing workplace issues collectively, and working to eliminate a "bro culture" environment. If necessary, women should consider seeking a healthier work environment in a different organisation for better quality of life.

So, in the eyes of our experts, dismantling "bro culture" in tech requires a collective effort to foster ethical leadership, promote gender diversity, and create inclusive environments where everyone feels valued. By educating managers, ensuring gender parity in teams, and addressing societal biases, we can cultivate workplaces that encourage diversity and innovation – creating an environment where everyone feels valued and can see the pathway to grow to their full potential.