The Day After International Women's Day

As legend has it, after Serena Williams (aka The G.O.A.T.) won Wimbledon in 2015, she was back on the practice court the?very?next day, looking for ways to enhance her game.

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After the first women's rights convention in 1848 in Seneca Falls (the model town for "It's a Wonderful Life"), Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Frederick Douglass kept pushing for equality.

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They, along with Serena and other champions, knew the value of "The Day After" and that real progress is measured by how you show up day after day after day.

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Yesterday was International Women's Day, and I had the privilege of speaking on several panels last week to recognize women's achievements and continue advocating for equality.

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As we begin 2025, women hold just 11% of CEO positions for Fortune 500 companies, but the disparity extends far beyond titles. The more significant concern is financial power: the collective compensation for men in these positions is $6.9 billion versus $950 million for women.

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To be fair, neither group struggles with the price of eggs, but this compensation gap reinforces outdated power structures, beliefs, and norms that impact everyone in our society—including men who don't believe this is something to be concerned about.?

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have become scapegoats for various societal problems in recent months. Critics suggest that welcoming diverse perspectives and creating inclusive environments has somehow "watered down" excellence—yet remain remarkably silent about how many white men have been and continue to be mediocre managers.

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I'll be the first to agree that many initiatives sparked by George Floyd's murder missed the mark. The pandemic forced us to stop. We could no longer look away. As millions marched, many declared, "This moment feels different. Real change is coming." I said to myself.?

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But substantial change hasn't materialized, mainly because we failed to sustain our commitment the day after—and all the days that followed. It's hard work, especially when it has no end. So, the corporate retreat from DEI efforts is disappointing but not surprising.?

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Many responses were performative, avoiding the policy and structural changes required for meaningful transformation. Too many initiatives?were fueled?by BS (blame & shame) and reactionary impulses rather than genuine commitment, with some organizations moving too quickly for communities still processing the pandemic and an election cycle.?

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As companies use the current political climate to walk away, I wonder:?If they believe in meritocracy,?why not level the playing field and let the best person succeed??

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The challenges facing diversity initiatives stem not from the fundamental goal of creating more inclusive environments where competent individuals can thrive. Instead, they reflect a broader decline in quality management, coaching, and emotionally intelligent leadership capable of establishing high standards while helping people meet them.

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Standards haven't deteriorated because we've become more inclusive but because we've become increasingly transactional in our relationships. Building truly excellent organizations requires time, space, and trust—the willingness to see, hear, and appreciate each other beyond metrics.?Without trust, the best you get is short-term compliance, not commitment, and champions, like Serena, commit.?

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International Women's Day reminds us that celebration matters, but what happens today—and every day after—determines whether real change occurs, which is true in every aspect of life.?

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Creating a stronger and more connected society or company requires the discipline to consistently show up and fix a system that has never been as merit-based as some?would have us?believe.

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Until next week, have fun storming the castle!?

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Michael?

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Thank you for weighing in on last week's poll.? I've landed on a new name for my podcast:?Whole Again.?

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As we continue to co-create, I would love your perspective on potential new cover art for the podcast. Of the eight images, which one catches your eye the most??