Not Your Protégé, Not Your Threat: Why Men Champion Women... Until They Succeed with Gill Whitty-Collins

“We start to become a problem in this world when we start to exceed other people's expectations of us.” – Gill Whitty-Collins, Author & Gender Equality Expert

I’ve really started to struggle with the term unconscious bias… is saying that there’s an unconscious bias, a loophole?” – Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Chat Womb, Jo Phillips is joined by Gill Whitty-Collins, senior business leader, gender equality expert, and author of Why Men Win at Work, to break down the hidden forces that keep men in power and women fighting for space.

Gill reveals why gender inequality isn’t about competence, but about perception, and how deeply ingrained paternalistic mindsets create barriers for women in leadership. She and Jo explore the unconscious biases that shape decision-making, the “daughter phenomenon” in male allyship, and why men need to shift from protectors to partners in the fight for equality.

If you’ve ever wondered why men are still winning at work—and what we can do about it—this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights

(02:10) – Introducing Gill Whitty-Collins: Author of Why Men Win at Work

(05:00) – Why do men really win at work? Gill breaks it down

(07:15) – Invisible forces at play: The unconscious barriers women face

(12:30) – Does unconscious bias still hold up? The real reason it hasn’t worked

(20:10) – When women enter the “dominant culture” and the game changes

(25:00) – The "daughter phenomenon”—why men support women until they become equals

(30:45) – Moving from paternalism to true male allyship

(35:20) – Gill’s message to men in leadership: “You are not their dad. You are their colleague.”

About Our Guest: Gill Whitty-Collins

Gill Whitty-Collins is an author, consultant, and gender equality advocate with over 20 years of experience as a senior leader in the corporate world. After a successful career at Procter & Gamble, where she led global brands like Olay, Always, and Pantene, Gill turned her attention to tackling the structural and cultural barriers holding women back in business.

Her book, Why Men Win at Work, has been described as a must-read for anyone serious about gender equality. Through her keynote talks, executive coaching, and workshops, Gill helps organisations identify the invisible forces that keep women from leadership and take real action to drive change.

🔗 Follow Gill on LinkedIn / Instagram @gillwhittycollins

📖 Buy Why Men Win at Work

🌍 Visit Gill’s Website https://gillwhittycollins.com/ 

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com