"When a woman was seen having a hot flash, she was rated as less competent and less likely to be chosen as the leader.”

That’s one of the research findings shared by Dr. Alicia Grandey - Organisational Psychologist and Professor at Penn State University - in the latest Episode of The Workplace Podcast.

In this conversation, William and Alicia explore a topic that is still rarely discussed openly at work: menopause and leadership.

Menopause affects half the population, yet many workplaces still struggle to talk about it or support employees navigating it. Drawing on decades of research and interviews with senior leaders, Alicia explains how stigma influences perceptions of competence, leadership opportunities, and workplace culture.

Key insights from this episode:

• Why naming menopause can reduce bias in leadership decisions • How stigma and silence can push experienced women out of leadership pipelines • The surprising ways many women become more confident and resilient leaders during this stage of life • What compassionate leadership actually looks like in practice • How organisations can create cultures that support people through major life transitions

This conversation also builds on a previous discussion on menopause in the workplace with Loretta Dignum (Episode 46).

If you care about leadership, workplace culture, psychological safety, and supporting women in mid-career, this is an important conversation.