Michael Ian Black

How to Be a Man in 2018

Richard Sandler, Michael Ian Black, Joanne Lipman, Kevin O'Leary, Alex Rodriguez

Moderated by Richard Sandler, a panel of business leaders and activists including Kevin O'Leary, Joanne Lipman, Michael Ian Black, and Alex Rodriguez argued that gender inequality is a detrimental business practice that harms productivity and financial returns. The discussion integrated diverse perspectives on systemic bias, with O'Leary citing performance data showing female-led companies outperform male-led counterparts, while panelists emphasized the need for men to embrace vulnerability and allyship to drive cultural change. Concluding that economic incentives and shared responsibility are the most effective drivers of progress, the group warned that avoiding cross-gender mentorship due to fear undermines organizational success and social equity.