I have noticed that among the women execs I know there are “feminine” traits that sometimes get in the way of success in the corporate world. I value that women and men frequently process information and decision-making differently. The business world (and society) will benefit when 50% (or more) of the executives in the C-Suite and on the Board are female. The best answer for a company will always result from looking at a situation from many diverse perspectives.

However, if I look at the collection of women I know in executive roles, many of them have put up their own roadblocks to rising up the ranks even more quickly by expecting a higher standard of emotional synchronization in the office than most men require or know how to interact with. Several of these women have passed on $200+K jobs because the cultural fit wasn’t perfect, when a man would have taken on the same business challenge not caring if he was a very different style from the other people around. No culture is perfect. Focus on the question: “Can I make a this business better?”

It is true that a strong corporate woman is frequently called a “bitch” when a man using the same style might have been praised. Nevertheless, top management will promote the person who can “separate the wheat from the chaff“ and make the right business decision for the situation. Consideration of culture and feelings may be a luxury not affordable here.

Will you be called a bitch more often? Maybe. Probably! Once you have arrived in the C-Suite you won’t care so much.

Topics: branding + positioning, career strategy, solving problems | No Comments »

I had a client who was a Customer Service Manager in a hospital. His job was to call patients after they had just had some test and tell them that, yup, a problem had been found and a visit with a doctor for follow-up needed to be scheduled ASAP. Since he was frequently calling people with very bad news, he was not sleeping well and asked me how he could find a job in a new industry given that he had been in the hospital role for the last 20 years.

I helped him see that his gifts included not only his knowledge of medical conditions, but his ability to “deliver bad news gracefully” and help people make thoughtful, well informed decisions when under a huge amount of stress. Read the rest of this entry »

Topics: branding + positioning, career strategy, solving problems | 1 Comment »

I am in my 50s. Yes, age bias exists and, yes, it is illegal. You won’t always be able to avoid it. But age bias is sometimes not really about your actual age, it is about certain soft skills and attitudes that employers desire but older employees are less likely to value. And if you learn to address those issues, you can make concerns about age go away.

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Topics: branding + positioning, career strategy, interviews, networking, resume + cover letter, salary | No Comments »