What happens when a leader stops performing and starts showing up as herself?
In episode 104 of Women Disrupting Tech, Farshida Zafar shares how embracing her authentic self—sneakers, roots, and all—shaped her leadership journey and helped her build a radically inclusive team culture at Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Farshida’s story begins as a refugee in the Netherlands. It unfolds into a career defined by resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to creating teams where everyone can thrive.
Key Takeaways from episode 104
Here’s what you’ll learn by listening to episode 104:
🧠 Being yourself is not unprofessional, it’s powerful
🤝 Creating a team where everyone belongs starts with showing up as yourself
🔥 Success is not about luck. It’s about making bold choices, showing up, and having the courage to fail.
If you’ve ever wondered whether authenticity can be your greatest strength as a leader, this episode is for you.
To learn how you can master the art of authentic leadership, find episode 104 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.
Or hit the play button below👇.
Mastering the Art of Authentic Leadership with Farshida Zafar | Episode 104 – Women Disrupting Tech
- Key Takeaways from episode 104
- Inclusive Events for Women Disrupting Tech
- Join the Women Disrupting Tech Community on Substack
- The Magic in This Episode🪄
- Amplify the Voices of Women Disrupting Tech
- Three Hidden Truths About Inclusion
- About Farshida Zafar
- About ECE
- Share what’s on your mind!
- Coming up next on Women Disrupting Tech
Inclusive Events for Women Disrupting Tech
Below are some events worth visiting in the coming months. You’ll find a full overview of all events, including links to buy tickets, on the events page.
TNW Conference:
Date: 19 and 20 June 2025
Location: NDSM, Amsterdam
Time: 12:00 – 17:00 hours
Tickets: On TNW Website
Join the Women Disrupting Tech Community on Substack
Changing the funding landscape starts with access. Not just to capital, but to the right people, ideas, and spaces. That’s why I’m building The Women Disrupting Tech Community on Substack.
Join us if you want to help more women be heard, funded, and celebrated in tech. You’ll receive:
✨ Early access to new podcast episodes, plus a weekly email with the moments that moved me and what they taught me.
✨ Exclusive research on what it really takes to build a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
✨ Invites to special events we sponsor or co-host, where conversations turn into collaborations.
This community is for people who believe in action. And know that together, our voices go further.
The Magic in This Episode🪄
What does it really look like to lead with authenticity?
For Farshida Zafar, it meant refusing to shrink. Refusing to perform. And choosing to lead in a way that feels true, no matter the cost.
In episode 104 of Women Disrupting Tech, Farshida shares the moments that shaped her leadership. Moments when she stood her ground, protected her values, and made space for others to do the same.
These aren’t just career decisions. They’re acts of courage that show how authenticity and inclusion can go hand in hand.
Here are three powerful stories from her journey.
The sneaker story: When someone told her sneakers weren’t professional, she decided to stop hiding. That moment marked the beginning of a new leadership style—unapologetically real.
Walking away to protect her name: After being told her last name would prevent her from becoming a partner, Farshida quit on the spot. “It kept my integrity intact,” she said. “And that matters more than a paycheck.”
Building a culture of belonging: She asks introverts to speak first. Gives space for hard conversations. And leads meetings by listening, not performing.
Want to hear more of Farshida’s magic? Listen to Episode 104 on Spotify.
What are your experiences related to authenticity in leadership? Let me know in the comments.
Amplify the Voices of Women Disrupting Tech
Want to make inclusion in tech the new normal by 2032? Here’s how you can help:
Amplify the voices of Women Disrupting Tech by following the podcast on your favorite platform. Every follow brings these stories to more people.
Give the show a rating or review on Spotify or Apple. It only takes a moment, but it tells others this podcast is worth listening to. And helps the voices of my guests carry further.
Share the stories that move you.
Send this episode to a friend, a colleague, or someone who needs to hear it. Every share helps the Women Disrupting Tech build a more inclusive tech future and supports women in getting the stage they deserve.
Use the buttons below to spread the word. Your voice helps amplify theirs.
Three Hidden Truths About Inclusion
Inclusion isn’t a buzzword. It’s a leadership practice.
Farshida Zafar doesn’t just talk about inclusion—she builds it into the way her team works. From hiring to team dynamics, she challenges the systems that keep people out and replaces them with habits that bring people in.
Here are three practical ways she puts inclusion into action—no jargon, no fluff. Just real, everyday leadership that works.
Create metrics for inclusion
Don’t just measure how many people you hire. Track whether they feel safe, heard, and empowered to contribute.
Ask better questions in diverse teams
When language or culture causes friction, pause and ask: “What exactly do you mean? What am I missing?”
Challenge the ‘best person for the job’ myth
Question the bias behind how we define merit. Diverse teams aren’t just fairer, they’re smarter.
For more real-world insights on building inclusive teams, listen to Episode 104 of Women Disrupting Tech on Apple Podcasts.
Or click the image below to listen on YouTube. And don’t forget to share what your favorite moment from the episode was in the comments.
“I think me being me shows my team they can be themselves and they don’t have to put on a mask. They can be their authentic self.”
Farshida Zafar, Director Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship
About Farshida Zafar
Farshida Zafar, LL.M., is a visionary leader driving transformation at the intersection of education, technology, and entrepreneurship. As Executive Director of the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, she spearheads strategic initiatives focused on (emerging) technology, and inclusive entrepreneurship. Her forward-thinking leadership has garnered international and national recognition, including the Best Campus Development Award (2021), the Techionista Tech Leader Award (2018) and the SURF Innovation (2016).
Her commitment to inclusion earned her a place in the Inclusive 30 of 2023 by MT/Sprout, recognizing her as one of the Netherlands’ most influential inclusive leaders.
With expertise spanning law, technology, and change management, Farshida drives digital transformation across educational and business landscapes. She excels at leading diverse teams to create innovative solutions with meaningful societal impact, embodying the principles of inclusive leadership and technological advancement in everything she undertakes.
About ECE
Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE) is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. It is a leading international center for entrepreneurship education and research. ECE empowers aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs through knowledge, networks and access to resources, enabling them to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions. You can find more information on the ECE website and follow ECE on LinkedIn or Instagram.
Share what’s on your mind!
Have you ever felt like you had to tone down who you are to succeed at work? Please share your own experiences related to authenticity in leadership in the comments.
And if you would like to suggest a guest or a theme for the podcast, please let me know via email or send a DM on LinkedIn.
Coming up next on Women Disrupting Tech
One masterclass follows another. Next week, James Felton Keith puts a price on non-inclusive companies. Systems and measurements included. It is a truly insightful episode about his groundbreaking work on building the financial business case for DEI.
Here’s a clip from the episode on what motivates him.
Stay tuned for more. And until the next episode, stay curious and Keep Being Awesome!
Women Disrupting Tech | The Podcast 
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