" What you don’t want is just to say, ‘All showrunners need to be half women and half men,’ because then, for men and women, you could get inexperienced people doing those jobs, failing, and then not getting the opportunity to do them again. "
- Lauren Schmidt Hissrich

In the statement under discussion, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich emphasizes a nuanced approach to diversity within leadership roles, particularly in showrunning for television or streaming series. She cautions against setting rigid numerical quotas that might inadvertently place unprepared individuals in high-stakes positions. Instead of forcing an equal distribution by gender, she suggests focusing on ensuring that those who take up these responsibilities are competent and capable.

The deeper meaning behind Hissrich’s words lies in the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to diversity initiatives. While the goal is to achieve a fair representation of all genders in leadership roles, rushing into such changes without proper preparation can lead to setbacks for both individuals and organizations. If inexperienced people are thrust into critical positions solely based on quotas, they might fail due to lack of readiness or support, which could then discourage future opportunities for women (or any underrepresented gender) to take up similar roles when better prepared. This approach highlights the need for a balanced strategy that supports growth and development while striving for equitable representation.

Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is an accomplished television producer and writer known for her work on the popular Netflix series "The Witcher." With a background in journalism and a strong commitment to innovative storytelling, she has become a respected voice within the industry, advocating not only for better representation but also for thoughtful approaches to achieving diversity goals.