Patriarchy Wins Again

By Justin Foster - Co-founder & CMO of Massive Change

This article is intentionally written for LinkedIn because I refuse to live a life where business and values are separated by a comfortable wall. If you’re reading this and you maintain a divide between what you believe personally and how you lead professionally, this is meant to make you uncomfortable - regardless of who you voted for.

Here’s the truth: the same systems of power, privilege, and accountability (or lack thereof) that shaped this election are alive and well in the business world. The patriarchy—rooted in intrinsic biases, sustained by systematic reinforcements, and manifested in everyday behaviors—doesn’t stop at the ballot box. It influences who gets promoted, who gets paid, and who gets the microphone in boardrooms around the world.

If you think Trump’s victory is just about politics, you’re missing the bigger picture. It’s a case study in how deeply entrenched patriarchal systems remain and how those systems protect, excuse, and even reward behaviors that would otherwise be unacceptable. This isn’t just about who runs a country; it’s about the leadership values we normalize, emulate, and sustain in our organizations.

The question isn’t whether this affects business—it’s whether you’ll acknowledge it and do something about it.

If you are reading this and feel tempted to dismiss "The Patriarchy" as a cliché or a social justice buzzword, remember that doing so ignores its real and measurable impact on society. From a sociological and complexity science perspective, patriarchy is an emergent, self-sustaining system of power dynamics that privileges men but traps everyone in rigid roles and expectations. For women, it restricts access to leadership, perpetuates wage gaps, and normalizes harassment, limiting their autonomy and opportunities. For men, it enforces harmful ideals of dominance, emotional suppression, and overwork, contributing to mental health crises, higher suicide rates, and a lack of meaningful relationships. Ignoring or trivializing the term only ensures that these damaging dynamics remain unchallenged and entrenched.

Intrinsic Biases: The Strongman Archetype

At the heart of Trump’s win is a set of deeply ingrained biases that link leadership with dominance, brashness, and aggression—traits stereotypically coded as "masculine." These biases aren’t just held by his supporters; they’re woven into the cultural fabric. Trump's ability to cast himself as a "strongman" resonates with people across ideological lines, even when his behavior directly undermines moral or ethical leadership.

His infamous comments about women, accusations of sexual assault, and adjudicated status as a rapist should have been career-ending scandals. Instead, they were reframed as either irrelevant or excusable. The “boys will be boys” mentality kicks in, allowing many to dismiss his misogyny as mere personality quirks. The implicit message: male power, no matter how corrupt, is preferable to vulnerability or perceived weakness.

Systematic Reinforcements: Media and Legal Impunity

Trump’s re-election highlights the ways systems actively uphold patriarchal values. Media coverage often focuses on his charisma, outsider appeal, or policy positions, sidestepping his predatory behavior and its implications. Even when Trump faced legal consequences—such as the civil ruling in which he was adjudicated as a rapist—the cultural machinery worked overtime to minimize its impact. He continued to fill stadiums, dominate headlines, and garner votes.

This is not accidental. The systems of accountability—whether legal, political, or cultural—are designed to fail when it comes to powerful men. Civil court rulings against Trump didn’t matter because they were framed as “distractions” from his leadership. His base rationalized, deflected, or outright ignored his behavior, illustrating how institutional structures and societal attitudes converge to sustain patriarchal dominance.

Extrinsic Manifestations: The Votes Don’t Lie

One might hope that egregious misogyny would alienate voters. Instead, Trump’s ability to garner widespread support, including from women, reveals how patriarchal values are internalized across genders. The narrative of a tough, unyielding leader—someone who doesn’t bend to “political correctness” or “feminist overreach”—appeals to a significant portion of the electorate.

What’s more revealing is how Trump weaponizes gender dynamics to his advantage. His relentless attacks on women leaders—whether Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, or Nancy Pelosi—aren’t just personal. They are calculated moves to reinforce patriarchal norms, portraying powerful women as threats to the natural order while positioning himself as the defender of traditional values. The voters who cheer him on are complicit in reinforcing these dynamics.

Patriarchy in Business: The Trump Effect

Trump’s win isn’t just a political event; it sends ripples through the business world, reinforcing the dominance of patriarchal norms in corporate culture. Here’s how:

• Reinforcing Toxic Leadership
  Trump embodies a style of leadership that values aggression over collaboration and power over accountability. In the business world, this mirrors the prevalence of toxic leaders who rise through intimidation rather than merit. His win validates those who equate dominance with effectiveness and further entrenches a corporate culture where "command and control" is rewarded.
  
  

• Undermining Gender Equity Efforts
  Companies have made strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, but Trump’s re-election undermines these initiatives. His rhetoric and policies reinforce skepticism about systemic inequities, emboldening those who resist gender parity, equitable pay, and diverse leadership.
  
  

• Normalizing Bad Behavior
  Trump’s win signals that personal conduct is irrelevant as long as results are delivered. In the workplace, this emboldens individuals who engage in unethical or abusive behavior, knowing that consequences are unlikely if they’re perceived as high performers. This mindset disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups, who are often targeted in hostile work environments.
  
  

• Denying the Existence of Patriarchy
  Perhaps the most damaging ripple effect of Trump’s win is the reinforcement of the belief that systemic inequities like patriarchy don’t exist at all. This denial allows organizations to maintain the status quo, claiming that everything is fine and nothing needs to change.

Taken together, these dynamics create a dangerous feedback loop that entrenches patriarchal norms in business culture. Trump’s win reinforces toxic leadership styles that prize dominance over collaboration, undermines hard-fought efforts toward gender equity, normalizes unethical behavior as long as results are delivered, and emboldens those who deny systemic inequities altogether. This cumulative impact not only stalls progress but actively regresses workplace culture, making organizations less inclusive, less innovative, and more prone to replicating outdated power structures. In a world demanding ethical, equitable leadership, clinging to these norms risks alienating talent, stifling growth, and ultimately making businesses obsolete in a rapidly evolving social landscape.

The Path Forward: What Men in Business Can Do

Men in business have the unique power to influence not just corporate culture but also societal norms. By leveraging their platforms, relationships, and leadership roles to challenge the patriarchy, they can help shape a more equitable society. This isn’t just about improving workplaces—it’s about creating a world where equity and accountability are non-negotiable values.

Trump’s win underscores the need for men in business to take an active role in dismantling patriarchal norms—not just within their organizations but in society at large. Here are five clear, actionable steps to get started, each with an example:

Leverage Your Position to Drive Societal Change: Use your business influence to advocate for gender equity and dismantle systemic inequalities beyond your workplace. 

Example: Partner with or fund organizations that focus on empowering women and marginalized communities, such as leadership development programs or STEM initiatives. Publicly align your company with these values to set an example for others.

Amplify Women’s Voices: Actively ensure women are included and heard, not only within your organization but also in public forums and decision-making spaces. 

Example: Invite a female colleague or leader to co-present with you at a conference or speak at an industry panel. Use your platform to highlight her expertise and ensure her contributions are visible.

Confront Harassment and Toxic Behavior Head-On: Establish a culture of zero tolerance for harassment and discriminatory behavior, regardless of a person’s performance or position. 

Example: If you witness inappropriate behavior, address it immediately: “That comment was unacceptable. We don’t tolerate that here.” Follow up by reporting the incident and ensuring accountability.

Advocate for Pay Equity and Transparent Policies: Push for equitable compensation, clear promotion criteria, and hiring practices that eliminate bias. 

Example: Conduct or request a pay equity audit at your company. If disparities are found, advocate for adjustments and ensure policies are in place to maintain fairness moving forward.

Redefine Leadership Metrics: Advocate for success metrics that value ethical leadership, employee well-being, and inclusion over traditional bottom-line metrics. 

Example: Propose adding diversity and employee satisfaction metrics to your company’s performance reviews. Show how these align with long-term profitability by improving retention and innovation.

These actions aren’t about performative allyship—they’re about reshaping the norms and systems that keep patriarchy entrenched in business. If men in leadership don’t step up to challenge the status quo, the cycle will continue. By taking these steps, conscious men can help redefine what leadership looks like, not just in their organizations but in society as a whole. The time for passive support is over. It’s time to act.

Dismantling the Patriarchy requires Massive Change

At Massive Change, we’re in the business of transformation—helping leaders and organizations realize that the walls between business, values, and societal impact are not just flimsy; they’re artificial. We deeply believe that leaders committed to real change must embed intersectional leadership practices into their organizations. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s an actionable framework that ensures the voices, experiences, and perspectives of all people—across gender, race, ability, and background—are represented, respected, and prioritized in decision-making.

Intersectional Leadership isn’t about checking diversity boxes; it’s about transforming the core of how organizations operate. This approach insists that leaders address systemic inequities and biases head-on. Why? Because true change demands more than surface-level shifts. It requires building organizations that thrive on diversity and innovation, making equity not just an outcome but a guiding principle. Leaders who embrace Intersectional Leadership don’t just respond to cultural shifts—they create them by fostering workplaces that are resilient, adaptive, and genuinely inclusive.

If we’re to dismantle structures that allow patriarchal dynamics to persist in business and society, then we, as leaders, must adopt practices that see the whole person, listen to the often marginalized voices, and elevate every individual’s potential. For those leaders aligned with our mission, Intersectional Leadership is the blueprint for creating sustainable, meaningful impact.

A Final Thought

Trump’s victory is a stark reminder of how deeply patriarchy is embedded in our culture—and by extension, in our workplaces. It also highlights the urgency of dismantling it—not just for women but for everyone. Patriarchy’s rigidity harms men, women, and organizations, locking us into roles and power dynamics that stifle growth, equity, and innovation.

For men in business, this is a defining moment. The choice is clear: perpetuate a broken system or be part of the movement to rebuild it. Trump’s win is a setback, but it also illuminates the path forward. The patriarchy wins again, but it doesn’t have to keep winning. Conscious men, particularly those in leadership roles, hold the key to reshaping the business world into a space that values equity, accountability, and integrity over the outdated norms of dominance and hierarchy. The time to act is now.