Female Firebrands

About the Author

Mikaela Kiner is a seasoned HR professional and executive coach with a wealth of experience in creating inclusive and empowering workplace cultures. As the founder and CEO of Reverb, Kiner has dedicated her career to helping organizations foster environments where employees can thrive. Her insights have been featured in major publications like Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and The Harvard Business Review. Residing in Seattle, Washington, Kiner's passion for gender equality and workplace diversity is evident in her work and writings.

Main Idea

"Female Firebrands" is a powerful book that addresses the challenges women face in the workplace and provides actionable strategies for overcoming them. Drawing from interviews with successful women and younger professionals, Mikaela Kiner explores themes of privilege, internalized sexism, and workplace discrimination. The book serves as a guide for women to assert their rights, build supportive networks, and advocate for change in their professional environments. Kiner's approach is both practical and inspirational, encouraging readers to become advocates for themselves and others.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Privilege in the Workplace
3. Male Privilege
4. Wage Equity
5. Office Housework and Other Little Indignities
6. #MeToo
7. The Role of HR in the Wake of #MeToo
8. Send the Elevator Back Down!
9. Women Are Still Being Stereotyped
10. Women at Work: Competition or Sisterhood?
11. #MomToo
12. Conclusion

Privilege in the Workplace

Privilege in the workplace is a multifaceted issue that requires careful consideration and open dialogue. Mikaela Kiner emphasizes that privilege is often invisible to those who have it, making it a significant barrier to achieving equality. Privilege can manifest in various forms, including race, gender, sexuality, and socio-economic status. Kiner argues that acknowledging one's privilege is the first step towards using it to advocate for those who lack the same advantages. She states,

"Privilege means there are people you are not likely to see—either you don’t physically see them, or you can’t imagine them in leadership roles."

Privilege in the Workplace:

• Underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, particularly in S&P 500 companies
• Assumptions that leadership qualities are predominantly white and male attributes
• Limited visibility and opportunities for marginalized groups, including women of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals

Kiner encourages those with privilege to use their positions to uplift others and create more inclusive work environments. This involves being aware of unconscious biases, advocating for diversity initiatives, and ensuring equal opportunities for all employees. The chapter also explores how companies can implement policies that address privilege-related issues and promote a culture of inclusivity.

Male Privilege

The concept of male privilege is a critical aspect of the book, highlighting how it often goes unnoticed but has profound implications for gender equality in the workplace. Mikaela Kiner discusses how male privilege can lead to an imbalance of power, where men are often given more opportunities and recognition compared to their female counterparts. She provides examples of how men can be allies to women by acknowledging their privilege and taking concrete actions to support gender equality.