Stop Adapting, Start Leading: 5 Ways To End The Chameleon Effect In Tech By Zoe Kelleher, Club Executive, London, AND Digital

Watch and learn. Stick to the status quo. Blend in. This is the narrative we’ve been told leads to success for women in male-dominated fields. The Chameleon Effect has served as a survival tactic for women striving to climb the corporate ladder across every industry, adopting behaviours to align with their male counterparts to succeed.  

It’s time to shift the narrative. Women must be encouraged to forge their own path in the digital and tech space, setting examples that success shouldn’t be defined by how well you’re able to blend in, but by how well you’re able to stand out, and here’s how to do it. 

Power of Authentic Leadership 

Truly effective leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about authenticity. When those in leadership positions embrace their unique leadership and professional styles, they foster trust, innovation and inclusivity, showing them success isn’t achieved by following a one-size-fits-all approach. 

Research by AND Digital found more than 76 per cent of women leaders in tech attributed success in their role to confidence in their own leadership and those they’ve subsequently brought about in their teams.  

By approaching their roles with authenticity, they created an environment where teams felt valued and supported. When teams felt empowered and engaged, they delivered better results. 

Putting in the (Net)-Work

Despite only 5 per cent of leadership roles in tech being held by women, the biggest aspiration for women leaders in tech is to inspire other women to become the same. 

Networking and mentorship are crucial in this journey. More than 60 per cent of women in AND Digital’s research identified a specific mentor or role model as instrumental in their pursuit of a career in tech, and many respondents expressed a similar desire to be a mentor to aspiring women in tech. 

Seeking out networking and mentorship opportunities can allow women breaking into tech to connect with leaders in the space, discover opportunities for development and find inspiration. 

Up-Skill to Skill-Up 

For women in tech roles, the initial assumption tends to be that their skill set isn’t technical and for many women leaders, there is a constant battle to prove otherwise. 

Continuous learning is key to countering this bias and almost 80 per cent of women said continuous learning and upskilling significantly bolstered their career trajectory. 

Upskilling in areas like data, artificial intelligence and software development, where new opportunities to be at the forefront of tech are expanding all the time, not only enhances career prospects but helps to close the gender gap in leadership. By equipping themselves with in-demand skills, women gain a competitive edge and open doors to leadership opportunities. 

Stay Soft, Stand Out

While technical skills can give women a competitive edge and enhance their confidence when going up against male counterparts, these must be balanced with soft skills like compassion, empathy and communication in order to thrive in tech. Soft skills, despite the overheard narrative that they are somehow less valuable than technical skills, are essential for women to thrive in their careers and many leaders in tech note emotional intelligence as incredibly important to leadership and success.

Technology will always continue to evolve, but it will never replace the need for strong communication and soft skills which, in conjunction with technical expertise, creates well-rounded professionals who can shape the tech industry using both their head and heart. 

Don’t be a Chameleon – It’s Never the Busiest Exhibit at the Zoo

Success in tech isn’t about fitting in – it’s about standing out. By leading authentically, building strong networks, continuously upskilling and having a human touch, women can redefine success and leadership on their own terms.  This industry thrives on innovation, but this cannot be at the sacrifice of inclusion. By standing out, women can pave the way for more inclusive innovation in tech while empowering the next generation to thrive in an industry which values diversity, creativity and genuine impact.