Breaking the Queen Bee Mentality

At our April Work for Good panel event, I mentioned something that caught many attendees off guard: being a Queen Bee isn’t a badge of honor…it’s a warning sign.

I described how Queen Bees often control the hive, pulling up the ladder behind them so no one else can climb. The term Queen Bee was coined in the 1970s to describe women in leadership roles who were seen as hindering the progress of other women. It's a toxic behavior rooted in scarcity and insecurity, and unfortunately, it still shows up in too many workplaces and social groups. You could feel the surprise ripple through the room.

While it might sound like a compliment at first glance - powerful, in control, admired - the truth is…

…being a Queen Bee isn’t aspirational…

…it’s harmful.

In a business environment, the Queen Bee Syndrome describes women who view other women not as allies or collaborators, but as competition. This often plays out through subtle sabotage, emotional immaturity, or blatant favoritism - mentoring male colleagues over female ones, withholding opportunities, or even undermining another woman’s advancement.

Queen Bee behavior doesn’t just show up in boardrooms; it’s often alive and well in social circles, too. Queen Bees may control access, dominate conversations, or subtly shame others for their choices, status, or success. This behavior creates an undercurrent of comparison and competition rather than connection. Instead of fostering authentic friendships, these dynamics can leave women feeling isolated, judged, or not "enough." Social spaces should be where we feel most accepted and seen, not where we shrink ourselves to fit in.

These behaviors are rooted in insecurity, not strength. A Queen Bee may carry herself with exaggerated confidence, but underneath the polished surface is often an inflated ego and a deep fear of being outshined. She may come across as assertive or "successful," but her success comes at the cost of other women’s growth…

…and that’s not leadership…

…that’s gatekeeping.

Let’s commit to evolving past this outdated dynamic and stand beside one another.

At Brave Women Project, we exist to Educate, Encourage, Engage, Empower, and Evolve. None of that happens when women tear each other down. True leadership is about lifting others up, sharing power, and creating space for diverse voices to rise. It’s about mentoring with integrity, celebrating wins that aren't your own, and challenging the internalized beliefs that there's only room for one woman at the top.

At Brave Women Project, we also prioritize psychological safety in everything we do. Our member-only events are designed as confidential, trusted spaces where conversations are respected, uplifting, and deeply supportive. We don’t promote sales tactics or transactional networking - instead, we cultivate genuine connections and relationships. This commitment to safety and sincerity allows our members to show up fully as themselves, fostering an environment where bravery, vulnerability, and growth can thrive.

Let’s commit to evolving past this outdated dynamic.

We don’t need Queen Bees.

We need Brave Women…women who stand beside each other…not above.