Why do some women undermine other women at work?
In this episode of Loud & Lifted, Betsy Hamm talks with organizational psychologist, leadership expert, and The Sisterhood Paradox author Vanessa Vershaw about workplace bullying, toxic female leadership, exclusion, competition between women, and the behaviors many women experience but rarely discuss openly.
Vanessa breaks down:
• Why women sometimes target or undermine other women at work
• The difference between difficult behavior and true workplace bullying
• How exclusion, rumors, gaslighting, and credibility attacks show up
• Why women may stay too long in toxic workplaces
• What to do when the bully is your boss or holds more power
• Why women need support networks without avoiding male-dominated spaces
• How women can create stronger, healthier professional relationships
This conversation is not about blaming women. It is about recognizing harmful behavior, taking accountability, supporting one another more intentionally, and creating workplaces where more women can succeed.
The boys’ club is real. But women still have work to do to build a stronger girls’ club.
Connect with Vanessa Vershaw and learn more about The Sisterhood Paradox through the links below.
Lead louder. Grow stronger. Don’t do it alone.
CHAPTERS
0:00 What Is the Sisterhood Paradox?
2:10 Why Women Are Afraid to Talk About It
5:29 Why Women Tear Other Women Down
6:16 What Female Bullying Looks Like at Work
9:06 When “Women Supporting Women” Isn’t Real
11:05 The Personal Cost of Workplace Bullying
14:45 Collaboration Over Competition
16:13 What Drives Mean-Girl Behavior
17:43 Being Difficult vs. Being a Bully
19:25 Exclusion: The Invisible Form of Bullying
20:12 Why Women Still Need to Enter Male-Dominated Rooms
23:05 What to Do When You’re Being Bullied
24:15 When It’s Time to Leave
27:28 Can a Workplace Bully Actually Change?
28:32 The Harsh Reality of Fighting Back
Links
Connect with Vanessa: https://www.vanessavershaw.com/
Purchase The Sisterhood Paradox: http://bit.ly/4wXYC3Q
