The anatomy professor scanned the room of medical students and college women. Based on the majority women group, he joked aloud, “I should be careful or this could be a #MeToo moment.” He pointed to the pelvis mannequins positioned in the open leg position. They served as training simulators for the cervix, uterus, and ovary examinations. He smiled at the undergraduates and motioned to the plastic models: “Don’t worry, you won’t have to do this position.” Later, a male supervisor, who was told of the anatomy professor’s behavior, described him as a decades-long friend, saying: “Oh, he didn’t mean anything by that. He’s a good guy.”
Stop Protecting “Good Guys”
The “good guy” defense gaslights women and enables offenders.
August 01, 2022
C.J. Burton/Getty Images
Summary.
Rates of sexual harassment in medicine outpace all other science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) fields. When women speak up about sexism or sexual harassment in these workplaces, they’re often met with the “good guy” defense: “He didn’t mean anything by it. He’s a good guy.” This response minimizes, excuses, or deflects the sexist or harassing behavior of a man by appealing to the utility of this commonly used phrase. In calling someone a “good guy” as an explain-away defense, men and medical institutions are offering an endorsement of the offender’s moral character, suggesting his innocence, and signaling an allegiance to him. But the “good guy” defense serves two salient functions: to gaslight women and to enable the offender.
We need to shift workplace cultures from one that protects and perpetuates sexism and misogyny to one that is notable for men as authentic allies. There are five ways to take back the term “good guys.” First, improve your situational awareness. Second, check your impulse to gaslight others. Third, hold other men accountable. Fourth, reinforce positive behavior. Finally, integrate conversations about the “good guy” defense into your organization’s culture.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build a better, more just workplace.