Product & Growth at Instagram, prev. Headspace, Red Bull. Making Sunshine Shop. Vocalist for Monk.

Frank Bach

Probably quite a lot. You forgot one key trait: STRAIGHT white male, the triple whammy of privilege. Male confidence is definitely a thing. I've seen firsthand how the industry treated me compared to my wife, who was also a designer. The double standards and biases are really messed up.

One example is the casual workplace camaraderie—talking shop with the boys—that I’ve always been included in. It’s something many people who aren’t white males might not get to experience fully. I've never hesitated to approach a company CEO, CFO, or CPO for a chat. Most of the time, they're white males too, which creates this implicit comfort zone.

I’d also say there’s a sense of entitlement I’ve been conditioned to have—an expectation that I deserve the things I work for and that success is within reach. I rarely doubt my own worth or ability to achieve what I want because I've grown up seeing people like me in positions of power.

Even logistical things, like immigrating from Canada to the U.S., have been relatively frictionless for me. I fit the stereotype of an immigrant who easily assimilates—culturally and linguistically similar to the U.S., no questions asked. And there’s a comfort in knowing I have a safe, stable country to return to if I ever want to.

Another subtle advantage is representation in media and leadership roles. Growing up, I’ve always seen people who look like me depicted as innovators, leaders, and heroes. That shapes how I see myself and what I believe is possible in my career.

From what I've read, white men don’t experience the same scrutiny or stereotypes that women or people of color often face in the workplace. My successes are generally assumed to be earned, not questioned or attributed to DE&I or similar, and mistakes I make are often seen as individual slip-ups, not a reflection of my gender or race.

In recent years, there have been moments when I’ve felt the opposite—like I’ve missed opportunities because of these privileges. During interviews, I’ve occasionally sensed an "Oh, not another white guy" kind of a vibe. But I accept that without complaint. The system has benefited me greatly, and I’m more than capable of working through challenges like that.

I like to think I'm self-aware enough to try and correct for this, and try to be inclusive in the workplace and cheer on and sponsor my colleagues who may not be living the same reality. I do my best.And honestly, in 2024, where’s the line between life and career? White men likely get better treatment at the bank, when negotiating, during interrogations with police, by strangers at the park, and even from parents at school pick-up and drop-off (who also have careers). 

Here’s a funny story: I got pulled over by a cop in North Bay, Ontario (Canada), while on tour with Monk. I was definitely speeding (not my brightest moment) and could’ve had the car impounded. The officer was surprised to see my California license and asked what I did for work. When I mentioned I was a designer at Headspace, the whole situation shifted. What could’ve been a serious ordeal turned into a friendly chat with someone who was genuinely excited to meet me. We chatted about Silicon Valley and how his son wants to become a software engineer. In the end, he let me off with a $30 ticket. Moments like that aren’t lost on me.

All these small interactions blur together and compound into long-term advantages. It’s wild when you really think about it.

Probably quite a lot. You forgot one key trait: 

 white male, the triple whammy of privilege. Male confidence is definitely a thing. I've seen firsthand how the industry treated me compared to my wife, who was also a designer. The double standards and biases are really messed up.

One example is the casual workplace camaraderie—talking shop with the boys—that I’ve always been included in. It’s something many people who aren’t white males might not get to experience fully. I've never hesitated to approach a company CEO, CFO, or CPO for a chat. Most of the time, they're white males too, which creates this implicit comfort zone.

I’d also say there’s a sense of entitlement I’ve been conditioned to have—an expectation that I deserve the things I work for and that success is within reach. I rarely doubt my own worth or ability to achieve what I want because I've grown up seeing people like me in positions of power.

Even logistical things, like immigrating from Canada to the U.S., have been relatively frictionless for me. I fit the stereotype of an immigrant who easily assimilates—culturally and linguistically similar to the U.S., no questions asked. And there’s a comfort in knowing I have a safe, stable country to return to if I ever want to.

Another subtle advantage is representation in media and leadership roles. Growing up, I’ve always seen people who look like me depicted as innovators, leaders, and heroes. That shapes how I see myself and what I believe is possible in my career.

From what I've read, white men don’t experience the same scrutiny or stereotypes that women or people of color often face in the workplace. My successes are generally assumed to be earned, not questioned or attributed to DE&I or similar, and mistakes I make are often seen as individual slip-ups, not a reflection of my gender or race.

In recent years, there have been moments when I’ve felt the opposite—like I’ve missed opportunities because of these privileges. During interviews, I’ve occasionally sensed an "Oh, not another white guy" kind of a vibe. But I accept that without complaint. The system has benefited me greatly, and I’m more than capable of working through challenges like that.

I like to think I'm self-aware enough to try and correct for this, and try to be inclusive in the workplace and cheer on and sponsor my colleagues who may not be living the same reality. I do my best.

And honestly, in 2024, where’s the line between life and career? White men likely get better treatment at the bank, when negotiating, during interrogations with police, by strangers at the park, and even from parents at school pick-up and drop-off (who also have careers). 

Here’s a funny story: I got pulled over by a cop in North Bay, Ontario (Canada), while on tour with Monk. I was definitely speeding (not my brightest moment) and could’ve had the car impounded. The officer was surprised to see my California license and asked what I did for work. When I mentioned I was a designer at Headspace, the whole situation shifted. What could’ve been a serious ordeal turned into a friendly chat with someone who was genuinely excited to meet me. We chatted about Silicon Valley and how his son wants to become a software engineer. In the end, he let me off with a $30 ticket. Moments like that aren’t lost on me.

All these small interactions blur together and compound into long-term advantages. It’s wild when you really think about it.

Frank Bach

How much has being a white male helped in your career?