- Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky addresses gender disparities in startup leadership styles
- Women founders report feeling unable to adopt “founder mode” without backlash
- Chesky calls for changes to allow equal adoption of aggressive management strategies
Boys’ club or business strategy?
Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, has sparked a debate about gender disparities in startup culture.
Following a wave of discussions about “founder mode” – a hands-on management approach – Chesky revealed that women founders have expressed concerns about adopting this strategy, fearing backlash that their male counterparts don’t face.
The fall of the “girlboss” revisited
Chesky pointed to past criticisms of female founders who embraced aggressive leadership styles, sharing a headline about the “fall of the girlboss.”
He argues that women are often unfairly penalized for behaviors celebrated in male founders, creating an uneven playing field in the startup world.
Rethinking startup leadership
The Airbnb chief advocates for change, emphasizing that founder mode – inspired by figures like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk – should be accessible to all entrepreneurs regardless of gender.
Chesky’s comments highlight the ongoing challenges women face in tech leadership roles and call for a more inclusive approach to startup management.
