Picture a Leader. Is She a Woman? | Carla Howard | TEDxBartonSpringsWomen

Overview

Carla Howard argues that the biggest barrier to women reaching top leadership roles isn’t a lack of ability—it’s how leadership is imagined and represented, often as male by default.

Personal Example: “Joselyn” and Leadership

Howard begins with a personal story about her 10-year-old granddaughter, Joselyn. Joselyn is described as kind, empathetic, and compassionate—qualities well suited to executive leadership. However, she doesn’t see herself as a leader.

The “Family Experiment” (TEDx Talk)

After reading a New York Times article titled “Picture a Leader: Is She a Woman?” by Heather Murphy, Howard became curious whether the people around her would also visualize leaders as men.

In her TEDx talk, she runs a small “family experiment” where her daughters and granddaughter draw what they believe an effective leader looks like:

• Bailey draws a male pastor as the leader.
• Jill draws another man, described as a “superhero.”
• Joselyn draws a man leading people moving boxes. When asked whether a woman could lead, she quickly says no, because she believes a leader must be strong.

Connection to Workplace Statistics

Howard connects these perceptions to broader workplace data:

• As you move up the corporate ladder, women hold fewer top roles (including very low percentages of Fortune 500 CEO positions and declining representation in executive roles).
• Even though women earn roughly half of advanced degrees, representation at the very top remains disproportionately low.

Critique of “Blame” Narratives

Howard challenges common stories that assign responsibility—whether to men, teachers, parents, or women themselves—arguing that blame is not productive.

Proposed Solution: Conversation and Imagination

Instead, she offers a solution centered on conversation and imagination: shifting what girls and young women can see as possible.

• Howard recommends that adults run similar drawing “experiments” with children and young professionals.
• She suggests using a tip from her grandmother: ask people to describe their artwork (and why it came to mind) rather than interrogating them about what it “means.”
• She emphasizes follow-up prompts that challenge gender assumptions, such as imagining a woman as:
  • a CEO
  • a pilot
  • a wife
  • a mother
  • and a leader

Closing Message

Howard’s conclusion is that meaningful progress begins by changing perceptions away from rigid stereotypes—so girls and young women see leadership as attainable, leading over time to more balanced gender representation.

Presenters/Contributors

• Carla Howard