As a tech leader, please check yourself.
Fairphone’s CEO reflects on diversity in tech leadership, citing data showing 83% of IT leaders are white men, and urges leaders to actively challenge their own privilege to foster true inclusivity.
Fairphone’s CEO recently addressed the company’s workforce diversity, noting that while the team is small, it spans 32 nationalities. Industry data from Q4 2025 reveals that 83% of IT leaders are white, with men occupying roughly 80% of leadership roles, a trend unchanged over five years. This stagnation, termed the 'Five-Year Stall,' highlights persistent disparities in tech leadership demographics.
The CEO referenced research by anthropologist Joris Luyendijk, who identified seven unearned privileges—such as being male, white, and highly educated—that facilitate easier career progression. Even in open, accessible workplaces, leaders must recognize how their privilege shapes perceptions. The CEO emphasized that awareness alone is insufficient; active efforts to challenge systemic norms are required to avoid alienating colleagues.
The CEO critiqued the 'golden rule,' arguing it imposes one’s own perspective on others. Instead, he advocated for the 'platinum rule': treating others as they wish to be treated. This shift demands empathy and a willingness to step into others’ experiences, fostering a culture of inclusivity beyond policy enforcement. Sustainable change, he noted, stems from behavioral shifts and mindful leadership.
Fairphone’s DEI committee actively works to ensure representation, but the CEO stressed that leadership must go further. True inclusivity requires listening and adapting to diverse needs. The company’s mission-driven approach extends to its products, which are produced under fair labor conditions, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices in the tech industry.