Question 1

Has the #MeToo movement and increased focus on gender discrimination and sexual misconduct gone too far? Not far enough?

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Female | 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Washington, D.C. | Architecture

#MeToo may have the effect of further isolating women in industries where they remain a clear minority.

While I regularly find myself the only woman at senior-level meetings for my job in the commercial real estate industry, I am concerned that this movement increasingly puts men in a position where they are afraid to say anything to a woman. It is difficult to anticipate in the midst of the movement, but #MeToo may have the effect of further isolating women in industries where they remain a clear minority.

Male | 28 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Boston | Brokerage

We're in witch hunt mode.

There were some seriously bad apples in the bunch and the world is a better place with them removed from their influential roles. However, yes, we're in witch hunt mode — I'd say either entering or squarely in the "too far" category.

Female | 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | London| Banking

The pendulum needs to swing too far for people to take stock and change behaviours.

In order to really understand the extent of gender inequality we need these movements to highlight the issue. The pendulum needs to swing too far for people to take stock and change behaviours. I have been shocked at how many women really are affected by discrimination and misconduct and if we truly want to live in a fair society, we need to have the conversation and debate openly. I believe that some discrimination is done in a non-thinking way and highlighting the behaviour is the only way to effect change.

Female | 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Manchester, U.K. | Consultancy

Absolutely not. It can never go far enough.

Has [#MeToo] gone too far? Absolutely not. It can never go far enough. Sadly, discrimination will always exist in some forms due to personal views and behaviours of individuals that simply cannot be wholly mitigated against. But as an industry, and as a society, those individuals need to be the exception to the rule and need to know their actions are wrong, are not accepted, and crucially, that they are seen. I suspect that the movement will evolve, and one thing that we do need to be careful of is to not focus narrowly on gender, but also have regard to diversity more widely.

Male | 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Atlanta | Development

I fear that this movement may lead to situations where some accused are presumed guilty until proven innocent.

I wouldn’t say that the movement has gone too far. Perpetrators should be held accountable and punished severely, and victims need to have the courage to speak up, and publicity will help both those ends. However, all of the publicity the movement has attracted may be a double-edged sword. It probably has increased the incidences of false accusations, as some non-victims may seek attention and/or feel that they may profit handsomely from a lawsuit, even though there may have been no basis whatsoever. I fear that this movement may lead to situations where some accused are presumed guilty until proven innocent. And, there is no shortage of opportunistic lawyers in the U.S.

Male | 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | New York City | Development

The more the real estate industry can function as a meritocracy and less of an old boy’s club, the better the results will be for everyone.

I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. Discrimination of all genders, races, sexual orientations and ethnicities has been prevalent in the workplace and elsewhere for far too long. The #MeToo movement needs to remain part of the national conversation and local vernacular until all individuals feel they receive equal treatment free of harassment in their careers and workplaces. The more the real estate industry can function as a meritocracy and less of an old boy’s club, the better the results will be for everyone.

Female | 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | New York City | Brokerage

It's incumbent on women to be careful about how they use the movement for everyone's betterment.

I’ve been fortunate to work for a company and group that is very proactive in terms of diversity, whether with respect to minorities or women, as we became corporate earlier than many other brokerage firms. But anecdotally, I do hear some women speaking about how in some ways they now feel that they’re being excluded from certain conversations because men are afraid to speak openly in front of them. And on the other end of [the] spectrum, I believe some women have embraced the movement to a degree that they are at risk of jumping the gun with respect to certain observations — I believe it's incumbent on women to be careful about how they use the movement for everyone's betterment without diluting its power by making inaccurate statements that can dilute our message/what we're fighting for.

Female | 25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | London| Fund Management

The movement has to some extent lost its purpose.

I believe there is a significant difference between the issues of gender discrimination and sexual misconduct. The #MeToo movement can never go far enough in exposing those who abuse their power in return for sexual favours, and this sort of sexual misconduct has been previously overlooked. I do, however, think that the movement has to some extent lost its purpose and there are many grey areas with what is perceived as sexual harassment. This can undermine those who have genuinely suffered from serious sexual harassment and the abuse of power.

Female | 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | New York City | Development

Just because the focus has become loud does not mean it is striking people and hitting home.

For me it is so inspirational to see this touching so many industries. I think we have only seen the very tip of the iceberg in the CRE industry. This is one that is so deeply rooted in misogynistic behavior that [it] has been expected for decades and accepted by most peers as the norm. There is a large sense of “not me” or feeling untouchable. Unfortunately just because the focus has become loud does not mean it is striking people and hitting home. It is very interesting that even with this climate that is supposed to make you feel that you will be heard, there is still a huge fear of retaliation.

Female | 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Houston | AEC Business Development

The #MeToo movement has done absolutely nothing except make the male partners roll their eyes and solidify in their minds that women are “whiners.”

I think that some of the seriousness has been watered down with people who could have sought alternate ways of dealing with situations. For my own office situation, the #MeToo movement has done absolutely nothing except make the male partners roll their eyes and solidify in their minds that women are “whiners.” This is not all black and white to me, even my own mind changes weekly about it. I am glad that awareness has surfaced though, and I hope it solves the blatant misconduct and the outward sexual harassment and assault.

Female | 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | San Antonio | Brokerage

The #MeToo movement makes every female look like a hypocrite.

Too far. I think there are plenty of women who jump at the chance to use their sexuality to win or pursue new business. The #MeToo movement makes every female look like a hypocrite. I have been in CRE for 17 years and have never experienced any gender discrimination or sexual harassment, but I also have been smart enough not to put myself in situations where that could occur.

Female | 32 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE| Washington, D.C. | Brokerage

I wish it had happened at a slower pace.

I fundamentally have some concerns that the last 12 months of activity might backfire a little bit. I wish it had happened at a slower pace. I think it would be more meaningful and more permanent. We’re in a reactive position right now and I think that’s never a good way to get positive things done when people are acting either out of fear or even putting people in positions that they’re not qualified for because they want to check the gender box. [In] my personal experience, there are men I’ve known for decades that I’ve always given a hug and kiss and they ask, “can I do this?” That’s the kind of thing that’s absurd to me. Well of course you can, but everyone’s paranoid. On the other hand, I’ve seen it all. I’ve experienced it all over my career where by sheer fact I’m female I’ve had to work harder, [and] take longer to build trust and a reputation that a man would have gotten instantly. I’ve had to earn it. If there are two candidates going after a job I do believe in today’s environment all things being equal, they’re going to go for women and diversity over a guy, which is a good thing, because how many years have they just gone for the guy because the decision-makers are men?

Female | 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Boston| Brokerage

I don’t think anyone here is taking it very seriously.

I think the #MeToo movement has opened up more of a dialogue on the subject, but most of the men in my office are worried about saying the wrong thing in front of a woman and then being sued. The attitude is “Oh, it’s 2018, you have to be careful what you say.” I don’t think anyone here is taking it very seriously. There is still this undercurrent of sexism. I still get asked if I know any young, smart women who could fill an operational/support role because it's not a "man's" job.

Male | 24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Atlanta | Brokerage

How does a “not guilty” male protect himself?

I do not believe the issue has gone too far. I believe the expansion of the movement should continue. Women have been both “secretly” and publicly abused and viewed as less deserving by many males in our society. Many — not all — males who have not been raised correctly believe they are superior. What I am worried about is the ability to differentiate between an aggressive but harmless male showing legitimate interest in a female romantically and being labeled as a sexual harasser. How does a “not guilty” male protect himself?

Female | 39 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | San Antonio | Real Estate Education

I was told I would not be considered for partnership ... because the president of the company “hadn’t considered cross-gender ownership of our stock.”

It is amazing to me that it has taken this long for the world to acknowledge what has been expected, if not acceptable, behavior toward women is fact and not fiction. Seemingly overnight, the world is shocked that people with power over others have been guilty of abuse. I’m guessing somewhere close to 100% of women of a certain age in the business world — not just commercial real estate — have a “#MeToo” story to tell. I do. As recently as 2003 I was told I would not be considered for partnership in the real estate firm I worked with — despite my other qualifications, which equaled or exceeded that of other partners — because the president of the company “hadn’t considered cross-gender ownership of our stock.” Direct quote. Has the pendulum swung too far? Yes. Now it seems any man who is accused is guilty without a hearing. The consequences have been extreme in many cases — losing control of one’s own companies, etc. Women who once had no voice and no recourse are now all-powerful. This absolute power can be as dangerous if abused as that lorded over them in the past.

Male | 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Chicago | Development

I believe the movement needs to go further.

I believe the movement needs to go further. My wife and I are equal partners in our business and every time we’re in a meeting with investors, people take her less seriously and assume that it's my money and [her] ideas get less credit. In commercial real estate, there is very little presence of women in general. The women tend to be the best performers in my experience. They can kick ass, but the entry is so hard and people don't take them seriously.

Female | 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE| Toronto | Brokerage

The #MeToo movement will have done its job when women are no longer objectified in the workplace.

The #MeToo movement has absolutely not gone too far. Sadly, in my predominantly male brokerage environment, the most common response I have heard from men in my office is that it is “unfair for all men to have to feel so vulnerable and like they cannot even make jokes anymore without possible consequence.” The jokes being referred to are often sexual comments at or about females in the brokerage or landlord industry. These comments have continued as usual, but are now followed up with “but don’t call HR,” “don’t get me fired for that” or a mocking “#MeToo” (commonly referred to lately as Pound Me Too — for real). The mere fact that these are the most common responses to a movement that has given voice to assault and harassment victims indicates that the movement is actually only in its infancy. The #MeToo movement will have done its job when women are no longer objectified in the workplace, when the comments are not being made at all, when there is equity in pay and division of labor and when we can experience safety and security walking from our desks to the water stations because we will not have to hear any more “jokes.”

Female | 26 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Cleveland | Environmental Risk Management

Business leadership up until now tended to pay lip service to gender discrimination, particularly equal pay for equal work. A wake-up call has been issued.

Business leadership up until now tended to pay lip service to gender discrimination, particularly equal pay for equal work. A wake-up call has been issued. Payrolls are being audited for discrepancies. Leadership absent diversity now appears suspect. The slow evolution of fairness received a kick in the pants, so yes, the movement is helping. As to sexual misconduct, it's abhorrent that it still exists (and obviously it does). Observing the career detriment in the entertainment industry alone has to have a chilling effect on those who see themselves [as] beyond reproach, and that is very good.

Female | LESS THAN 5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Manchester, U.K.| Development

It’s run its course and we should be moving forward to improve the law and policies.

I think the #MeToo campaign has done its job in the sense that it’s raised a lot of awareness about what is actually going on in certain industries. However, I think now it’s run its course and we should be moving forward to improve the law and policies in light of what has been uncovered. I do also think that gender discrimination and sexual [misconduct] is mainly always focused on women being the victim, and I think we need to focus more on equality in general.

Male | 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Atlanta | Brokerage

The movement has the potential to become a weapon that can destroy a professional’s career — and life.

The movement has absolutely increased focus and awareness on gender issues as it should have, [which is] clearly a positive outcome. Our industry is finally awake to the implications of our previous behavior. However, as the movement claims more and more significant names and headlines, it risks becoming a runaway freight train. It has come to a point where any person can claim harassment and there is an automatic consensus that the claim is accurate. No accountability is sought for the accusation, no questions asked of either side and no justifications or context are sought. The movement has the potential to become a weapon that can destroy a professional’s career — and life.

Female | 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Miami | Brokerage

There will be a backlash. Men will say “Oh, women — they’re too complicated. Let me hire a guy.”

As long as [women] are complaining for something real and not making it up, as long as every single little move from a guy, they’re not taking that as an attack, [the movement’s] a good thing. Some people exaggerate and some do not talk enough. What will happen is that guys will hire more men than women. There will be a backlash. Men will say “Oh, women — they’re too complicated. Let me hire a guy.” Real problems have to be put out there, but it’s case by case. Some guys are very harmful, very blunt. Some guys give compliments. That’s acceptable, the way they are. I wouldn’t want to remove that.

Female | 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Denver | Construction

I just want future generations to know what they’re getting into.

I don’t think the #MeToo movement has gone too far at all. While I think there will likely always be he said/she said scenarios, I think the movement has been instrumental in generating the conversations that really have been needed for a long time. If the movement is helpful in preventing unwanted sexual misconduct in the future, or is something that helps young women understand they don’t have to put up with unwanted advances or discrimination then it’s already helped some. I’m glad for it for my young daughter. When I look back at how stupid I was about truly not understanding the patriarchy within the commercial real estate and construction industry, I just want future generations to know what they’re getting into.

Male | 28 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE | Washington, D.C. | Brokerage

Our industry is still an all-white men’s club — and that needs to change!

The #MeToo movement and increased focus on gender discrimination has not gone too far at all, and along with pieces that you have run on racial under-representation in our industry, highlighting all types of discrimination is necessary in a male-dominated business such as commercial real estate. Our industry is still an all-white men’s club — and that needs to change!