Viewing gender through a fresh perspective

Joanne Lockwood is joined by TEDx speaker and author Antoinette Dale Henderson to explore gender through a wider lens, starting with women’s experiences of confidence, imposter feelings, and being heard at work.

They discuss how early social conditioning shapes expectations of “masculine” and “feminine” power, why women can be penalised for being direct, and how skills like gravitas, clarity, and vocal delivery can help people land messages without becoming inauthentic. Joanne also reflects on her own experience of gender transition and voice, and how assumptions about presentation can lead to misgendering.

The conversation broadens into allyship and culture change: why gender equality conversations often lack men, how organisations can use data and infrastructure changes (policy, flexibility, trust) to make progress, and how storytelling can shift minds more effectively than preaching. They also touch on the pandemic’s impact on women’s careers, workload, and wellbeing, and what more inclusive workplaces might look like as work patterns evolve.

Antoinette shares details of her books Leading With Gravitas and Power Up, and where listeners can connect with her.