What Works for Women at Work

Stealthy Sexism

In years past, the workplace accepted pervasive, overt sexism. Men cavalierly asked women to fetch coffee, do the drudge work, dress femininely and keep quiet. Lawsuits and societal changes drove such blatant gender discrimination underground. Women now graduate from college in greater numbers than men do. Young women in urban districts earn slightly more than their male counterparts. As women climb the career ladder, the statistics change drastically, to a point: in 2011, fewer than 4% of Fortune 500 CEOs were female.

Even slight bias compromises women’s chances for long-term success. Recent advice books addressing workplace gender bias often place the burden of compromise on women, or simplify a complex and multifaceted problem. Experts tell women to “speak up,” yet women who ask for promotions or raises often experience a backlash.

Biases are a necessary cerebral shortcut. Making assumptions allows you to operate on autopilot during most daily activities. But, these biases become a problem when they lead to assumptions about a particular group or role. When you envision a CEO, for example, you may imagine someone assertive, decisive...