And I am not talking about the bags under your eyes or the six cups of coffee needed to get through the day. It usually happens at 4:59 p.m. when they start to pack up so they can make it to daycare or a school recital or any number of obligations parents have. As they slip out of the open-plan cubicle maze, a child-free colleague glances over and thinks (or sometimes says out loud), "Must be nice."
HR leaders know that perception shapes reality in the workplace. But what happens when half your workforce experiences the organization fundamentally counter to the other half? Fresh research from the cybersecurity tech firm Acronis reveals a troubling perception gap that should concern every HR professional in the tech sector and beyond. According to Acronis' "2025 Women in Tech Report," which features results of a survey of more than 650 IT professionals in eight countries, men and women are working in the same industry.
Self-promotion isn't just a professional decision; it's a significant psychological gamble. Why do some parents want to be president of the local club while equally capable others prefer to avoid the spotlight? Why do some employees self-select for plum assignments while others duck? Science says it starts with personality. Self-promoters tend to be extroverts who enjoy the stage and project confidence. Some may even be narcissistswho areshown to predict leadership, alongside emotional awareness and self-efficacy.