Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed his support for incorporating more “masculine energy” into corporate culture, emphasizing the positive effects of an environment that “celebrates aggression.” In a recent interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, the 40-year-old CEO explained his belief that a culture that embraces aggressive energy could yield beneficial results, noting that corporate environments have moved away from such values.

Zuckerberg, dressed casually in a black T-shirt with curly hair and a gold pendant, discussed how his own personal growth has been shaped by experiences like martial arts, which he described as part of a “much more masculine culture.”

This statement follows recent changes at Meta, where the company has rolled back initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in hiring. An internal memo shared by Axios outlined the decision, citing a shift in perspective on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. The memo emphasized Meta’s commitment to fostering cognitively diverse teams that can offer varied perspectives, skills, and experiences.

The memo read: “At Meta, we have a principle of serving everyone. This can be achieved through cognitively diverse teams, with differences in knowledge, skills, political views, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.” It continued, stating that such teams are better equipped to innovate and solve complex problems, ultimately helping Meta fulfill its goal of creating products that serve all people.

As part of the policy overhaul, Meta announced that it would stop using the Diverse Slate Approach in hiring and would no longer set specific hiring targets for women or minority groups, citing a desire to avoid decisions based on race or gender. Instead, the company plans to focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses rather than prioritizing diverse-owned enterprises. The DEI team has been disbanded, with its leader, Maxine Williams, transitioning to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement.

Zuckerberg, reflecting on the cultural shift at Meta, also stated that companies have become “too culturally neutered.” His views on this matter have been shaped by his increased interactions with the mixed martial arts community. He believes that while it is essential to create inclusive environments where everyone can succeed, there is a balance to be struck.

This move by Zuckerberg and Meta comes as part of broader debates over corporate diversity policies and their impact on hiring practices, corporate culture, and business performance