The other day, I came across this wild article about America’s top CEOs—Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos, Dimon—all puffing their chests, throwing around words like “aggression,” “dominance,” and “masculine energy” like we’re all starring in the reboot of 300: Corporate Edition.

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Zuck’s on podcasts talking about how corporate culture has become “neutered.”
Elon is yelling “chainsaw!” while cutting entire teams.
Bezos is demanding “hell yes” loyalty from journalists.
And Jamie Dimon is basically telling people to suck it up and get back to their desks.

And while the boys are out here trying to out-alpha each other, I’m just over here…
drinking my coffee and rolling my eyes.

Because this?
This return to aggressive, chest-thumping leadership isn’t revolutionary.
It’s exhausting.
And it’s definitely not the future of work I want to build—or be a part of.

The Culture War Is Loud—But Some of Us Were Never Even Invited to the Arena

People talk a lot about how hard it is to survive in corporate culture right now.

But what often gets left out?

Some of us never even got the chance to step in.

I’ll be honest. I’ve never had a seat at the table they’re all fighting over.

I tried to apply to those “big” companies—the ones with prestige, structure, name recognition. But the doors never opened. And for a long time, I thought maybe I just wasn’t good enough.

But deep down, I also knew there were other things at play: my race, my gender, my religion.

Still, I never wanted to sit in that disappointment too long. I’ve always believed in moving forward.

So, I picked myself.
And I built something of my own.

I didn’t just want a job—I wanted a culture. A place where creativity and care could co-exist.
That’s what led me to create Design Angel.

And honestly? I was lucky.
My first two bosses were women who owned their own design studios.
They saw potential in me. They gave me chances.
They shaped the kind of leader—and woman—I’ve become.

That experience showed me what was possible.
It planted the seed that women can succeed.
And that we can do it without mimicking toxic leadership.

Women Are Done Waiting for the System to Change

Women now own nearly 39% of American businesses.
Between 2019 and 2023, women-led companies grew almost twice as fast as male-led ones.

Is it because we’re trying to prove something?
Nope.
It’s because corporate culture is still stuck in the dark ages, and women are finally realizing: “If I want something different, I’m going to have to build it myself.”

At Design Angel, I work with founders who are doing exactly that.
They’re not trying to be the next Sandberg or Holmes.
They’re not trying to join the gladiator match.

They’re creating brands built on intention, values, and clarity.
They’re launching businesses that give people flexibility, support, and—imagine this—joy.

And they’re doing it without the chainsaws and war cries.

Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Loud

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:
You don’t need to scream to stand out.

Leadership isn’t about shouting the loudest in the boardroom.
It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported.
It’s about asking: What kind of culture am I building—and who is it for?

Masculine energy isn’t inherently bad.
But when it becomes the only acceptable way to lead, we all lose.

So, What Do We Build Instead?

We build brands that care.
We build companies that offer flexibility without guilt.
We build communities where people lift each other up.
We stop chasing the old version of success—and define a new one that fits who we actually are.

And no, it won’t be perfect.
But it will be honest.

What We Can Learn From This Shift

If you’re building a brand right now—especially as a woman or someone who values equity and empathy—these are some of my takeaways for you:

1. The loudest leaders aren’t always the best ones.

You don’t have to be aggressive to be strong. There’s power in calm, clear, and thoughtful leadership.

2. If the system wasn’t built for you, you can build your own.

Don’t wait to be chosen. You’re allowed to opt out—pick yourself up, and create your own version of success.

3. DEI isn’t dead—but it has to be real.

Equity shouldn’t be a checkbox. If you believe in it, let it shape every part of your brand—from hiring to storytelling to product design.

4. You don’t have to do it alone.

Community matters. Collaboration matters. Women lifting women matters.
There’s no need to go full “lone wolf” when collective power is where the magic happens.

5. Success doesn’t have to look like endless growth.

Bigger isn’t always better.
Sometimes success is spaciousness, balance, or having a team that actually likes coming to work.
You get to choose what success looks like—and it doesn’t have to match anyone else’s definition.

A Note From Me to You

If you’re feeling like the current version of “success” doesn’t fit you—it probably wasn’t built for you.

And that’s not a flaw in you. That’s a flaw in the system.
Maybe it’s time to stop waiting to be chosen
Stop trying to fit into something that never saw you in the first place.

And maybe it’s time to pick yourself up.
Build your own thing.
Build something that feels more like freedom than performance.

That’s what I’m doing at Design Angel.

And if you’re building something bold, soft, smart, and real—I’m cheering you on.

Or better yet, let’s build it together.

Peace,
Pik