Diversity Council chief executive Lisa Annese has called on senior public servants to dispel myths about the barriers women face in the workforce and career progression.

Her statements come days after Immigration Department secretary Michael Pezzullo called for "revolution and insurgency" within his workforce to disrupt male dominance in senior positions.

Diversity Council Australia chief executive Lisa Annese. Credit:James Alcock

He told women to take command of meetings just as men had taught themselves to do by holding senior positions for generations.

But Ms Annese said many women were wrongly told they needed to "lean in" at work, to be more assertive in meetings, and assimilate to more traditional models of leadership.