Women and senior management

[greygoose]

alfaman said:

However, the absolutely most difficult colleagues to work with [banking] were a couple of senior women who were extremely manipulative, devious, political and undermined colleagues in other teams [they were loathed by everyone ]

There are some people who mistakenly believe that to be a successful boss you need to possess such traits and be loathed by virtually everyone.

[IainT]

V8mate said:

Quite. And the thought of that does concern me because, if prejudice has blinkered my outlook, I don't know why that value would have come about.

It's fairly easy to see certain stereotypes all over the place and these easily form our opinions and potentially lead to prejudice. I've had to take a long hard look at my opinions from time to time and review my view of groups of people based on all sorts of generalisations.

Except the French. All my opinions and prejudices there are spot on.

[GadgeS3C]

My experience has been that the best and worst managers I've had have been women.

Some women do seem to fit the manipulative stereotype described above.

[Countdown]

Apologies for lowering the tone but my current CEO is a slinky 6ft fox, my previous CEO was a 5ft 4in homosexual with psychopathic tendencies.

I know which one I prefer

[Hoofy]

Rovinghawk said:

Hoofy said:

I think we need to have 50% of board members of the top 500 companies in the UK from British Chinese backgrounds irrespective of experience and ability.

1 person in 5 in the world is Chinese, so surely 20% is representative?

RH

I like your thinking. But I still think 50% is better.

[McWigglebum4th]

Rovinghawk said:

Hoofy said:

I think we need to have 50% of board members of the top 500 companies in the UK from British Chinese backgrounds irrespective of experience and ability.

1 person in 5 in the world is Chinese, so surely 20% is representative?

RH

But humans are greatly out numbered by ants

Surely we should have 50% of the board to be ants

And think of the cash savings if you could send 50% of your senior staff across the world in a padded envelope and a test tube.

[tomw2000]

Only skimmed through first responses....

I think it is definitely down to biology and babies.

I've had very, very good female colleagues (and bosses). Not just competent - but super impressive.

I've probably met more idiot male colleagues too.

My wife and I do not have kids. And she's kinda classic type-A over-achiever. And has had a very successful and high earning career (accountancy).

I'm obviously biased, but I do believe the cliched "women have to work X% harder to get the to same place/level as men". I have seen it myself.

She's currently taking some time off work (to avoid paying EVEN MORE tax rather than having babies ) - but if there's a chance that she can benefit from a good old dose of 'positive discrimination' and get some 'cushy' non-exec director roles - you can bet she'll not complain. And given her experience, I'd like to think she'd actually add something to the organisation(s) she joined.

[Hoofy]

McWigglebum4th said:

Rovinghawk said:

Hoofy said:

I think we need to have 50% of board members of the top 500 companies in the UK from British Chinese backgrounds irrespective of experience and ability.

1 person in 5 in the world is Chinese, so surely 20% is representative?

RH

But humans are greatly out numbered by ants

Surely we should have 50% of the board to be ants

And think of the cash savings if you could send 50% of your senior staff across the world in a padded envelope and a test tube.

You make a good point. I shall withdraw my applications and go back to being a fluffer.

[tomw2000]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

My wife would definitely agree with you on that :|

[toohuge]

Interesting topic here and an issue that I do not believe is black and white, although introducing a quota appears to make it so.

I have experienced discrimination from others on age which is a pain to be honest and it really takes it out of you.

It is a shame that the OP has never met a female colleague of note, but that's his experience.

My wife is very ambitious and is working with Bosch on their management fast track programme which is great, although when we have the discussion about children, her default setting is career OR children, AND which speaks volumes.

She has her sights set on sitting on the board and we will do whatever it takes and the idea of having children is diminishing as her career flourishes but it is an interesting observation to make and one that I feel is responsible for many woman not making it to senior management.

From personal hiring experience, the three and soon to be four colleagues that I have at the moment, all the woman (2 at the moment hopefully 3 soon) have all gravitated towards the 'security' of the role, as has my wife when working for a large company. Perhaps this is a reason too, when in a secure position with enough to provide for the family there is very little drive to achieve more. I have found males tend to be a little more 'daring' with careers.

I hope this makes some sort of sense...

Chris

[200bhp]

Countdown said:

Apologies for lowering the tone but my current CEO is a slinky 6ft fox, my previous CEO was a 5ft 4in homosexual with psychopathic tendencies.

I know which one I prefer

Have you been a hair dresser for long?

[Chilli]

I worked in a bank where the CFO was a 6ft blonde, who often wore revealing clothes. She was brilliant at her job. At the same bank, the Treasurer was a woman...she too was excellent, and well respected throughout the city.
I moved to Dubai, where the locals avoid work at all costs. My boss was a local lady, and was also brilliant. In fact, in another life I would have married her...smart as hell, funny, pretty....rich!
Now I've moved on to a small private firm, and my boss is a woman. English lady who, once again, is brilliant and I doubt there's a man on the planet that could do what she does (events, arty-farty type stuff).
So, yes, they are out there, just hugely outnumbered.

[Jockman]

200bhp said:

Have you been a hair dresser for long?

I've only ever had ONE boss, a female - my mother to be exact (now retired) and for some reason she ALWAYS decided on which female members of staff we took on !!

No interest in the Operation side whatsoever

[BlackVanDyke]

V8mate said:

Absolutely. Loads of them.

But my experience is not just about senior management/board level people; I've not come across a credible female at any level who has more responsibility than what's in front of her.

Now that, to me, really does suggest that you're missing something - because that's a VERY broad brush you have there. Never, anyone, at any level? Do you mind my asking what field you work in?

When I was working, it was mostly in music, teaching, or music teaching. Which means lots and lots of female bosses. Plus a few other bits and pieces - care work, front-of-house at a concert venue, executive committee of a disabled people's organisation, advocacy work. Lots of women in senior roles across that lot, too. I've worked for and with family; my grandmother is a professor emeritus at a London medical school. My former college is now headed up by a female Principal, too. Plenty of extremely competent and capable women amongst that lot, some at the very top of their field - Linda Merrick and Philippa Bunting particularly so.

[Countdown]

200bhp said:

Countdown said:

Apologies for lowering the tone but my current CEO is a slinky 6ft fox, my previous CEO was a 5ft 4in homosexual with psychopathic tendencies.

I know which one I prefer

Have you been a hair dresser for long?

I'm not but thinking about it, my wife's hairdresser is a bit of a hottie. Damn, another reason to curse my poor career choice. I blame Mr Archer - if only he'd mentioned 6ft slinky foxes in his careers talks