In this episode of The Ledger, host Diouana Woman (Author, diary of a diouana woman & Chief Researcher, Diouana Womanomics) speaks with Dr. Leah Sheppard (Associate Professor of Management, Washington State University) about her groundbreaking research on the Femme Fatale Effect — a phenomenon where highly attractive women are viewed as less truthful, trustworthy, or competent in workplace contexts.
They unpack:
Why beauty can backfire for women in professional environments.
How sexual insecurity fuels suspicion toward attractive women—both from men and other women.
The difficulties organizations face in even acknowledging — let alone addressing — attractiveness bias.
How cultural trends like the Office Siren aesthetic tie into these dynamics.
Surprising new research suggesting that working mothers may actually be preferred for leadership roles today.
The discussion weaves psychology, feminist theory, organizational behavior, and real-world examples (like the Iowa Supreme Court case of an employee fired for being "too attractive").
Why You Should Listen
This episode is a must-listen if you want to:
Understand how unconscious biases around beauty and femininity quietly shape workplace dynamics.
Learn practical insights about managing bias perceptions — both for yourself and in organizational contexts.
Hear how Gen Z’s workplace fashion, social media aesthetics, and shifting gender roles intersect with research and reality.
Gain a hopeful, updated perspective on motherhood, leadership, and women’s evolving place in professional life.
It’s thought-provoking, myth-busting, and will leave you questioning the invisible forces shaping how women are judged at work.
Episode Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
Welcome to The Ledger and today’s topic: the "bias against beauty."00:41 – Meet Dr. Leah Sheppard
Background on Dr. Sheppard’s research on gender, attractiveness, and workplace bias.03:17 – The Dark Side of Beauty
How attractiveness can be an advantage generally, but a disadvantage for women in organizational contexts.04:48 – What is the Femme Fatale Effect?
Defining the concept and its link to perceptions of femininity, manipulation, and danger.10:49 – Trust, Femininity, and Gender Nuance
Why femininity isn’t inherently distrusted, but highly attractive women trigger unique suspicions.14:17 – Sexual Insecurity Explained
How both men and women experience sexual insecurity when confronted with highly attractive women.17:45 – Can the Femme Fatale Effect be Erased?
A priming experiment that shows when people feel secure in their relationships, bias diminishes.22:44 – Truth, Trust, and Power
Why perceptions of truthfulness matter so much in organizations, leadership, and collaboration.23:43 – Bias That HR Can’t Fix
Why managing attractiveness bias is nearly impossible at a systems level — and what individuals can do.29:42 – The ‘Office Siren’ Trend
Gen Z’s flirtation with stylized corporate femininity and its workplace consequences.31:20 – Real-World Case Study: Fired for Being Attractive
The Iowa Supreme Court case where a woman lost her job due to her boss’s wife’s insecurities.35:17 – What’s Next for Beauty Bias Research
The role of race, intersectionality, and future areas of study.39:00 – From Motherhood Penalty to Preference
Dr. Sheppard’s new research showing shifting perceptions of working mothers in leadership.46:00 – Career vs. Family and Shifting Gender Roles
How partnership dynamics, ambition, and evolving expectations shape women’s choices.54:01 – Power Couples, Lowered Standards, and Evolutionary Theory
Rethinking partnership and attraction in light of women outpacing men in education and career success.59:01 – Takeaways: Beauty, Bias, and Perspective
Why attractiveness is still more of an asset than penalty overall, despite the nuances.
Dr. Leah Sheppard’s bio:
“I’m an Associate Professor of Management and an Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives & College Culture with the Carson College of Business at Washington State University. I received my PhD in Organizational Behavior & Human Resources from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia in 2014.
My primary research stream focuses on the effect of gender on individuals' workplace experiences and career outcomes. Beyond that, I’m interested in employees' experiences of phenomena generally treated as taboo when they occur at work, such as sexual behavior, physical attractiveness biases, non-work identity disclosures, and discussions about news/politics.
I’ve published my work in several outlets, including Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Journal of Management, Academy of Management Journal, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Journal of Business Venturing, and The Atlantic. My research findings have also been publicized in several news outlets, including The New York Times, CBS News, New York Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.”
Disclaimer: the views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and do not reflect the views of any employer, past or current.
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