I’d like to think all women are great to work with, I really, really would.
But…I can’t.
One of the main reasons I got out of Corporate America was because, upon discovering that I was to be subordinate to a woman, I would break out into chills and cold sweats. You see, I don’t “do” shameless sycophant well, AT ALL. I find it physically painful to fawn all over an insecure boss, hang on her every word, shower her with compliments about her new hair color and beg her to tell me where she gets her nails done.
The worst boss I ever had was a woman, and she damn near caused me a nervous breakdown. I was a struggling single parent at the time, and she, of course childless at the time, was completely insensitive to my work-hour constraints–I had to be at Maxi Me’s preschool before 6:00 PM or have to pay through the nose in after-hour fees, which I could not afford. I also didn’t want my child languishing at the school, the only one who hadn’t been picked up. So she would send me to long-distance trips to San Diego (1.5 hours away with no traffic; 3,ooo hours during rush hour), Los Angeles and Orange County for the all-day escapades to keep the clients happy, but if I wasn’t done with my work by 4PM, I’d sweat bullets because Southern California traffic is the first circle of Dante’s Inferno. She’d openly tell me that she didn’t think I deserved the salary I was hired with, and would say so in the presence of the other junior executives at my level, so they would hate me too. She’d throw me under the bus whenever possible, and was in general, the biggest bitch I’d ever met in my life. I’m not one to hold a grudge, but to this day I loathe her.
Anyway, enough about me and the horrible boss that almost cost me my sanity. I know I’m not alone, and now it’s confirmed. Psychologist Meredith Fuller is set to publish at book called, “Working with Bitches: Identify the Eight Types of Office mean Girls and Rise Above Workplace Nastiness.”
Why might you need it? “Usually, the women are decent, hard working, ethical and transparent workers. They [women like me] are bewildered by conniving, self-serving, or nasty bitches and are likely to assume that somehow it is their fault. Perhaps they’re imagining it; they aren’t competent; they’re too sensitive; they don’t fit the role or place; or they wouldn’t be heard it they spoke up,” says Fuller. That’s because Men don’t want to know about it, and many people haven’t realized the severity of its impact, she says.
I think this book might be especially important for black women, who oftentimes haven’t been exposed to the passive aggressive nature that women of other cultures use to punish their enemies. You need to know so you can side step the wrath of the “Bitchy Boss” so you don’t go home every night and curl into a ball and cry all night. It’s set to come out March 15, so you might want to reserve a copy of pre-order. If I was still a corporate slave, I’ve snatch this book up quick and count the days until I showed up at my doorstep.
Fuller identifies the eight “bitchy” types:
The Excluder: She sees other women as oxygen thieves if there is no personal gain from communicated with them. She can pretend you don’t exist and fail to pass on important information.
The Insecure: She micromanages everyone, trust no one, and thinks that no one knows better than she does.
The Toxic: She is a two-faced game-player who should never be trusted. She’ll suck up to you and be your best friend one minute, then gossip about you the next.
Great post Chris!! It couldn’t have come at a better time 🙂
I’ll be graduating in this spring and will be doing IT consulting for a major multinational company. SUPER NERVOUS, but very excited 🙂 I would LOVE to get some advice from the ladies out there who have worked in Corporate America.
Did/do you enjoy it? how did you build relationships with superiors/other influential employees? Is it okay to hang out with co-workers out of the office? How do you deal with people trying sabotage/undermine you??
@cocoababe My dad told me years and years ago about hanging out with co-workers. basically he said “you don’t want to sh*t in you own back yard.” I took that to mean keep your friends and job separate. this has served me very well throughout my life. I think this is very good advice.
@dasdbobb @cocoababe
My dad told me the same thing BTW good luck and congrats on the job!
@dasdbobb
I got similar advice, HOWEVER I know during my internship and from articles online that it was ENCOURAGED to take part in some activities outside of work so that people get to know you. It doesn’t mean act like a complete moron (almost all of these activities involved alcohol), but to relax a little bit and let people get to know you and the rest of the newbies.
Halfway through my internship we had a ladies night that was really fun HOWEVER I made sure to keep my mouth shut. Once the drinks started coming, so did the GOSSIP. I was shocked because some of those women were twice my age but of course I didn’t say anything other than a little bit about myself and was really interested to get to know everyone else. The senior managers said I had come off really shy/standoff ish in the beginning and were glad I came so that they could see I was actually funny and social.
@cocoababe @dasdbobb You’ve got it cocoababe!
@cocoababe
IT, you should be dealing mostly with guys (one can only hope).
1. THE MAJOR THING THAT CAN KEEP YOU FROM ADVANCING IS NOT HANGING OUT WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (If only once a month – you don’t have to say “yes” every time.
As much as it KILLS you, YOU’VE GOT TO DO IT OR YOUR CHANCES OF ADVANCEMENT WILL BE NEXT TO NILL )in Corporate America), but your behavior when hanging out with your co-workers SHOULD NOT RESEMBLE your behavior with YOUR FRIENDS. WORK FRIENDS do not equal HOME FRIENDS.
WORK FRIENDS DO NOT NEED TO KNOW THE JUICY PARTS OF YOUR LIFE… that’s why we have home friends. Check out the, “They whip out their social jiu-jitsu” and “They whip out something genuine” segments of this, “6 Habits of Remarkably Likeable People” article http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/6-habits-of-remarkably-likeable-people-185252090.html – You should get to know others, but they don’t have to know you.
2. The best way I know to build a strong relationship with a “not crazy” supervisor, is to be AS invested in the mental well-being of your “crew”, your team, your department as your supervisor. Become a part of the glue that keeps the team together and productive. I used to come up with random pizza days where everyone would pitch in and order a pizza for our design team when it was clear people were losing energy. On holidays where we had to work, I would plan a late day “working party” or movie on DVD (ending the work day early) with popcorn, etc… with some others in the group and invite some from other departments to join. By the end of my time there (had a job opportunity I could not turn down), our little design team was a model of collegiality and extremely loyal to each other. All of this should be done without bringing too much attention to yourself. Your contributions should make your supervisor look better.
3. As for building relationships with influential employees – ask them for guidance. Turn to them as if they are your mentor. Be interested in their “growth experiences” and ask for suggestions as you PROVE your work is above and beyond to those around you (being first one in and last one out is a certain way to make the right impression – and get all of your work done/start on the next days work). The timing and frequency is important, don’t be overly needy and don’t ask for advice too soon (or too often).
4. The only thing I can say about the sabotage is that most of the disappointment and confusion you will feel will come from your high expectations of strangers. Expect nothing from anyone. A) Don’t expect the person you think should be your ally, to be one. B) If you have been targeted, it’s because you are doing something right. C) Your productivity is A#1, don’t let them interfere with your work, because it is when they are sabotaging that you will be placed under the microscope for others who had not targeted you. D) Don’t allow them to make you miserable, the “hush-hush” policy doesn’t work here. It may be your instinct to not say anything to anybody, but that will often leave the evil one to write your story for you. Speak to someone you quasi-trust GENERALLY about the “weirdness” with the saboteur, but make it clear that you barely know the saboteur/or whatever the case is, but don’t have the strength to figure out what that person’s problem is while you keep being collegial you. Either the person you quasi-trust will tell others about your role in the “issue”, which would be minimal, and make the saboteur look unhinged, or they would make a point of defending you in your absence The rest, you will have to get advice in real time from people who support you outside of work… just be sure to not talk these things out with people (outside of work) who won’t believe your predicaments or who automatically fault you… they’re wrong and will only further add to your stress. 🙂 Also try joining professional organizations in your field including those with a cultural slant for great mentors and greater opportunities for professional growth.
@EmilySpring
OMG I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID! especially the part about socializing with co-workers whether people like it or not, that’s part of the “corporate culture” 🙂
thank you for this advice!! i really appreciate it 🙂
what are your thoughts on dating co-workers or friends of co-workers? Yay or Nay??
@cocoababe
Oh, I’m so glad! You already seem to be on the right track!BIG OLE NNNNAAAYYYY to the dating unless you feel like the person is your SOULMATE (you may have to report your relationship to the HR department too if you do have a relationship…) BUT you can let the person know that if it weren’t your policy, you would have taken the next step (if that is the case) and that you both should get to know each other before dating given the risk, if you like.
I think it is safest and most professional to not do so, but YOU CAN “date” (unofficially) through work-related outings/get-togethers which will help you determine if it is really worth the plunge. This is where the being friends first in one’s personal life works perfectly with keeping things professional and productive in your professional. Go with your gut and what feels right for you. Eating lunch together or in a group ever so often, etc… less pressured interactions so you both could learn more about each other (and how you both interact with others) without the drama. Either way, be careful. If you don’t let them down gently enough (and without hope), they can become an at-work saboteur.
Dating a friend of co-worker is a disaster waiting to happen, but if you can handle it and feel that it is worth it, go for it.
@cocoababe
Don’t forget the female at-work saboteur, be they supervisor or peer, would rather see the company, or a project fail, than see you succeed. Wherever you are, just remember the term “Schadenfreude”. Carry that word with you always and it will explain (and help you brush-off) MOST of your negative interactions with some of these women (and others with a feminine energy) in the workplace… and in life…and try not to take it personally – you’re just the easiest, most obvious target.
@EmilySpring @cocoababe
Sorry to be negative, but alot of women are very jealous.
@EmilySpring @cocoababe Excellent advice, Emily
Good post. One issue I have experienced is where a manager will be very highstrung about incidents both large and small. It makes it hard for them to convey priority and to warn people effectively. Granted the warnings could be justified. But especially when a manager who you don’t interact with much just comes by and starts freaking out about something that is trivial and not relevant to the problem, when they come by and get very agitated it is exhausting to constantly have to react in a way that satisfies their need for urgency. I can be professional and indicate that I take something seriously, but affecting other emotions (negative and even positive) very strongly can really be tiring. Something to look out for as it may be unsustainable in the long run.
Now, consider the plight of the MAN, working within a 98% female-dominated profession (such as Speech PAthology or Nursing) – who has to listen to ‘pad-count’ each and every day – excluded from all social context, except negative stuff – whose work is never quite good enough – whose handwriting is not beautiful, wonderful calligraphy, done at speed – whose work, printed by machine (bought and paid for by himself), is derided and all but forbidden, in that non-tech, ‘high-touch’ environment – publically humiliated at every turn by lesbian, man-hating feminist types – whose very presence interferes with the supervisor’s mid-afternoon meditation period – etc.
I don’t work there (or anywhere) for them anymore – I would prefer to wear chest-waders & breathing gear, deep inside a commercial septic tank, handling the hose in the stinking muck (which, at one low point in my life, I did).
Great post reminds me of a bad experience at an internship in highschool (for career planning), I went to a retail pharmacy for 3 days. The pharmacist was a complete bitch during the whole time chided me for “not knowning anything”, when she was the one that signed up to *teach* highschool students the basics. She signed my permission slip and approved my time there, then she turned around and tried to say I was “incompetent” and “disinterested” and “felt as though she shouldn’t have signed my paper”.
Our last encounters have ended as follows: Disclaimer I do not support immature outburst as a way of dealing with this sort of situation, I fully support being the adult hand reporting them, this is a recollection of what my 17/18 year old mind though was an appropriate way to handle
Bitch: aren’t you the one that didn’t graduate highschool because *I* didn’t like how you spent your time here
Me: No I graduated last month asshole, your opinion didn’t matter
Bitch: That was very rude don’t call me that
Me: I will call you whatever the hell I want
Encounter numero two, this time I had the pleasure of insulting her whilst her boyfriend stood back and let her take it.
Bitch: Could you please move I am trying to get through
Me: Could you take you go around me? Or can your fat ass not fit?
Wimpy boyfriend *blank stare*
Of course my responses were highly inappropriate, and nowadays I would have just tripped her as she was walking around me(Joking, joking), this was about 4 years ago, I am much more mature and well equipped to handle these type of women now I still fight fire with fire(or in this case bitch with bitch) just in a different manner(never show your anger or emotions), but still it felt pretty damn good embarassing her in front of her man.
@thecrazyartist
Have a friend that told me once, “don’t ever let them see you sweat”. Good for you.
@geneaj
I take the “never let them see you sweat” advice to heart now, as a 17 year old kid I thought I was handled the situation well, now I realize I looked just as bad, if not worse by reacting that way.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 “I think this book might be especially important for black women, who oftentimes haven’t been exposed to the passive aggressive nature that women of other cultures use to punish their enemies.” YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Christelyn. Women bosses were also why I quit Corporate America 6 years ago and the guys were almost always reasonable unless they had to choose between the woman they had the instinct to protect or the one who was actually the victim.
First, the women lie. Second, they lie, Third, they want you to back them up on their lie – oh and they take no responsibility for their actions unless they have to… they will pass the buck to some unsuspecting person… and then lie about it. Completely entitled behavior compared to other women who have to prove themselves everyday and are rarely ever given the benefit of the doubt.
..and don’t you DARE not look like a stereotype… you will have a BIG target on your back even if they’re not in your department or work directly with you. They will find someway to try to discredit you when all you’re doing is your job, ESPECIALLY if you are lauded and get along well with others.
Anyway, started my own business – best thing I ever did.
… and don’t get me started on the Black guys who are afraid to be seen talking to you (therefore don’t although you talk to everyone else) who join in on the conversations about you…
@EmilySpring Girl you know the score bet we could trade war stories.
@EmilySpring
“Anyway, started my own business – best thing I ever did.”
I plan to do the same. God Willing I won’t be working for other people for too long 🙂
@EmilySpring “First, the women lie. Second, they lie, Third, they want you to back them up on their lie”
Women do not EVER want to be seen as the bad guy and will RARELY hit you face on with it. They stab you in the back and then put their bloody hand in their pocket as if nothing happened.
Women do their dirt behind close doors and with a whisper. You save your ass by keeping VERY good records. Old saying. If it is not in writing it did not happen.
@Brenda55 @EmilySpring
“You save your ass by keeping VERY good records. Old saying.” Wow. I have never heard that old saying before. Wow! I have had several jobs, where afterwards, keeping records would of been a great helper to have on hand. This just gave me the incentive to really do that in 2013-keep a journal. Thank you!
@EmilySpring, I 100% agree with you. Being a young, feminine, non-overweight, friendly, easygoing black woman in the work place who does a good job is asking for trouble. I’ve had black female bosses single me out as well as white. And omg the men will do it too alot of times to stay in the evil women’s good side. The stories I could tell would be unbelievable to some. I am looking into careers where I don’t have to deal with the ridiculous tomfoolery now but the ones I have the most passion for involves alot of interaction.
It’s funny because this article made me realize that until present ALL my bosses have been women. But I’ve been fortunate in that only ONE of them was really terrible. She was a Liar-Incompetent. In fact, I’m quite sure I wasn’t properly trained at my job solely for the purpose of being a permanent fall-gal.
So really, I haven’t had experiences that made me scared of women as bosses, since for the most part I’ve been lucky. This still sounds like an interesting read.
I can’t say I know this, personally, about women since I worked in a primarily male-dominated environment. Funnily enough, these eight bitches can actually be applied to some of the men I worked with. Particularly:
The Screamer – I had an Army colonel for a boss who’s supervisory method was to scream at everyone. He didn’t just scream, he was cutting and very nasty. I was in Korea so worked with Korean officers and remember him screaming at one of those officers. Not only did he scream but he would get in one’s face and scream. To see him do that to a Korean man, who is all about face, was very painful and the man’s humiliation was palpable. Thankfully, i only had to work with him for three months but I figured out ways to make his life a living Hell without being disrespectful. He was glad to leave me too.
The Incompetent – I’m sorry to have to confess this but even though the military is all about life and death and competence can be key to who lives or dies, there are so many incompetents, it would make your head spin. For the most part, they are harmless but some, not so much (just ask the former CO of the USS Greeneville). I worked with a man who’s incompetence knew no bounds. This man sucked and blew equally. My nickname for him was “Captain Cow-God” because he was an FNC (fat Navy captain) and he was also:
The Narcissist – in fact, it was his ego that eventually brought him down, thank goodness. I spent 18 months in his unwanted company. Didn’t have to make his life a living hell, though. He was at the point where others could see his stupidity and so he did it to himself. He was eventually forced to retire.
The one woman I worked for (she was the first BW admiral in the Navy) was a dream. Of course, she was too busy fighting off racism and sexism so needed every ally she could get. Maybe that was the difference. She was a BW. I did hear some nightmarish things about the higher ranking WW officers but never had to work with/for them so don’t know, personally.
Glad to have my own sole-proprietor business now. It’s so freeing.
I can’t say I know this, personally, about women since I worked in a primarily male-dominated environment. Funnily enough, these eight bitches can actually be applied to some of the men I worked with. Particularly:
The Screamer – I had an Army colonel for a boss whose supervisory method was to scream at everyone. He didn’t just scream, he was cutting and very nasty. I was in Korea so worked with Korean officers and remember him screaming at one of those officers. Not only did he scream but he would get in one’s face and scream. To see him do that to a Korean man, who is all about face, was very painful and the man’s humiliation was palpable. Thankfully, i only had to work with him for three months but I figured out ways to make his life a living Hell without being disrespectful. He was glad to leave me too.
The Incompetent – I’m sorry to have to confess this but even though the military is all about life and death and competence can be key to who lives or dies, there are so many incompetents, it would make your head spin. For the most part, they are harmless but some, not so much (just ask the former CO of the USS Greeneville). I worked with a man who’s incompetence knew no bounds. This man sucked and blew equally. My nickname for him was “Captain Cow-God” because he was an FNC (fat Navy captain) and he was also:
The Narcissist – in fact, it was his ego that eventually brought him down, thank goodness. I spent 18 months in his unwanted company. Didn’t have to make his life a living hell, though. He was at the point where others could see his stupidity and so he did it to himself. He was eventually forced to retire.
The one woman I worked for (she was the first BW admiral in the Navy) was a dream. Of course, she was too busy fighting off racism and sexism so needed every ally she could get. Maybe that was the difference. She was a BW. I did hear some nightmarish things about the higher ranking WW officers but never had to work with/for them so don’t know, personally.
Glad to have my own sole-proprietor business now. It’s so freeing.
Soooo thankful my boss is a man! And that the company I work for is predominantly male, in a predominantly male industry! When it comes to work-family issues, my boss completely understands that my family comes first. If something comes up at school, whether one of the kids gets sick or there’s some classroom activity, he says don’t ask, just go. If I have to take time off to take my Mother to her medical appointments, he’s completely understanding. I don’t think I would get that same level of understanding from another woman. I’m 99.9% positive I wouldn’t!
@The Working Home Keeper
“Soooo thankful my boss is a man! And that the company I work for is predominantly male, in a predominantly male industry!”
whether its PC to say or not, I think that’s one of the perks of young, approachable, unmarried women like myself working in IT 🙂
@The Working Home Keeper
“Soooo thankful my boss is a man! And that the company I work for is predominantly male, in a predominantly male industry!”
whether its PC to say or not, I think that’s one of the perks for young, approachable, unmarried women like myself working in IT 🙂
@cocoababe To quote Marilyn Monroe, “I don’t living in a man’s world, as long as I can be a woman in it” 😀
@The Working Home Keeper
I can definitely relate. I’ve never worked under the direction of a woman, for that I am eternally grateful. My boss is exactly has you describe your boss, compassionate and understanding….writing this makes me appreciate him even more.
I worked in a woman dominated profession. Nursing. Starting as an aide in 1977 to eventually becoming an RN.
When I got the chance to pull the rip cord and bail out seven years ago at age 50 I just about ran over my husband to go in on my day off to hand in my letter of resignation. Gave them three weeks notice and have not looked back.
I think I worked with just about every type of idiot type listed in the article. The men were every bit as bad IMO. Don’t miss them.
If you plan early (or win the lucky nuptual sweepstake) you can roll out way before age 65. Lots of people do it and the younger you start the better. There are loads of sites and books that will teach ou how to plan your escape.
@Brenda55 “If you plan early (or win the lucky nuptual sweepstake) you can roll out way before age 65. Lots of people do it and the younger you start the better. There are loads of sites and books that will teach ou how to plan your escape.”
Brenda, I’ve seen you mention early retirement before. Do you have any recommendations for books and websites? Thank you!
@The Working Home Keeper
Here is the site. You will find the best information here.
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/
These are people from all walks of life from CEOs to police officers and former military who did it and/or in the process of doing it. Lots of resources and sound advice.
Here is the calculator that the founder of the site invented to let you know if you have the numbers needed to FI/RE (Financially Independent/Retired Early)
http://www.firecalc.com/
Ther people who are most successful at achieving this are singles and married couples WHO ARE ON THE SAME PAGE FINANCIALLY. They are also people who know how to LBYM (Live below your means) There are also people who are and or have dug themselves out of a financial hole and still retired early or use the techniques to retire on time and not have to work extra years.
When Keith and I first got together we were in debt and digging out. Buy by the time our ship came in we were debt free and able to pull the plug and walk away from our jobs because we could easily live on the money we had inherited.
Even with 2008 crash and resulting recession (depression) we have been able to manage our assets so that the loss during the crash was minimal and we have recovered. What more we will not out live our funds since we know how to budget, hire and monitor the people who handle our affairs and know where and how to invest.
There is a great reading list on the site and I highly recommend using this resource.
Like anything else the goal of early retirement requires a plan and this site is one of the best places to start to formulate the one that will work for you.
@Brenda55 Thank you! I will definitely check out the links and share them with my husband. My husband and I are familiar with living below our means! Back in 2008, we discovered Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. We paid off all our non-mortgage debt (16k in 11 months – beans and rice, rice and beans ;)) , built up an emergency fund and since then have been aggressively paying off our mortgage. We will be mortgage free and completely debt-free in a few years. We too have been able to successfully weather this financial crisis, despite a period of 9 months of unemployment for my husband.
Off to check out those links!
@The Working Home Keeper Sounds like you two are off to a great start. You are on the same page. Have no non- secured debt. Have an emergency fund and have a plan to become mortgage and debt free. Know how to LBYM. You are in better shape than most Americans.
David Ramsey offers great advice. I also like Mary Hunt. In fact, her site and books are what I used to clean up our financial house.
http://www.debtproofliving.com/
I also read the book from the new Senator of Mass. Elizabeth Warren “The two income Trap.”
Once out financial house was in order we could take it to the next level and just in time since we knew how to handle our money with out squandering it. This is a learned skill just like any other.
Good luck to the both of you.
To help with the math here is the mother of all calculator sites.
http://www.dinkytown.net/
And when you are ready to invest this site breaks down the jargan
http://www.investopedia.com/#axzz2HVqiLVBP
@The Working Home Keeper P.S. When you get into the site you may find that putting all or a large chunk of your resources into paying of the mortgage may not be the best strategy to get you to FIRE. It is a balance between debt free and allocating funds for a retirement fund. You will learn this on the site.
@Brenda55 I like Mary Hunt too! Thanks for the calculators! My husband can spend hours playing around with those! We have some investments in place. But, this year my husband want to focus a bit more on retirement.
@Brenda55 Yes, I was just about to mention that! We’ve been so focused on the house, but this year my husband wants to focus more on retirement. Definitely a balance and both are important! My husband’s plan for this year is to continue to pay extra towards the mortgage, just not as much. What doesn’t go to the house, will go towards investments. There are also some home improvement projects we want to look at as well. A paid off house will do us no good if it’s falling apart around us!
@The Working Home Keeper
So true. I know that Ramsey has said this, so I will also. Let time and the power of compounding work for you. You two are young so if you plan it right you both should be in great shape and able to give your kids a great start.
@The Working Home Keeper So you don’t go crazy looking here is the thread with the reading list.
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f47/an-updated-fire-recommended-reading-list-with-a-military-twist-46732.html
@Brenda55 Thanks for mentioning the men , it needs to be said that all “bitches” in the work place are not women. I have been lucky that every woman i have worked with has been excellent, the men on the other hand have not been great..
@Brenda55
Could you kindly suggest any books please?
@geneaj Go to this site. It has a section where there is a list of books.
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/
@geneaj
Here is the thread with the reading list.
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f47/an-updated-fire-recommended-reading-list-with-a-military-twist-46732.html
“Well I do think, when there are more women, that the tone of the conversation changes, and also the goals of the conversation change. But it doesn’t mean that the whole world would be a lot better if it were totally run by women. If you think that, you’ve forgotten high school.” Madeleine Albright
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/madeleinea432637.html#6sVUMrLuuZ2vRsU3.99
Nuff said.
I remember reading an article in Glamour Magazine a few years ago and the article listed 5 reasons why women make better bosses than men and one of the reasons they stated was “Because women fight fair” REALLY??? REALLY??? that is a huge joke. my WORST bosses have been female and two of the absolute worst were black I am sorry to say and they both had that religious hallelujah thank you jesus spirit, and one had a “Kings Kid” personalized license plate but her behavior she acted more like the Devils kid. I get along better for the most part with male bosses, some have their own set of issues, but I cannot stand the cattines and foolishness that many female bossesbring brought into the work atomosphere. I just wanted to do my job and go home.
I remember reading an article in Glamour Magazine a few years ago and the article listed 5 reasons why women make better bosses than men and one of the reasons they stated was “Because women fight fair” REALLY??? REALLY??? that is a huge joke. my WORST bosses have been female and two of the absolute worst were black I am sorry to say and they both had that religious hallelujah thank you Jesus spirit, and one had a “Kings Kid” personalized license plate but her behavior she acted more like the Devils kid. I get along better for the most part with male bosses, some have their own set of issues, but I cannot stand the cattines and foolishness that many female bosses brought into the work atomosphere. I just wanted to do my job and go home.
I remember reading an article in Glamour Magazine a few years ago and the article listed 5 reasons why women make better bosses than men and one of the reasons they stated was “Because women fight fair” REALLY??? REALLY??? that is a huge joke. my WORST bosses have been female and two of the absolute worst were black (both were the Toxic persona) I am sorry to say and they both had that religious hallelujah thank you Jesus spirit, and one had a “Kings Kid” personalized license plate but her behavior she acted more like the Devils kid. I get along better for the most part with male bosses, some have their own set of issues, but I cannot stand the cattines and foolishness that many female bosses brought into the work atomosphere. I just wanted to do my job and go home.
@DUsher
“I cannot stand the cattines and foolishness that many female bosses brought into the work atomosphere. I just wanted to do my job and go home.”
I share your sentiments, one of my female bosses actually got catty with one of my co-workers(low level) because said co-worker was dating a man she had her eye on. I eventually quit, I lasted all of 3 weeks I just couldn’t take the middle school behavior.
Male dominated industries for the MFW…… I love working around men. I’ve had a good female immediate supervisors but the lower/uppers were a mess. Not so much with the article indication, but very side-steppish and clique-y. I can do females of other races, I was raised around such people, I just choose not to. You’d be amazed at the amount of time spent working through social networking demands rather than the production of actual work. I’m just here to work in peace, having big boobs, sharp wit, and sexy shoes are all you need in male dominated industries. j/k
The men play ‘good-ol-boy’ politics and will get folks out of the way (or out of a job) without a thought – but the women lie about the lies that they lied about … and will continue to causelie & harm, even after a person is separated from their job or employment, often for years after.
Wow I only thought this happened to few people I had the Excluder for a boss at my internship 🙁 that lady made my life a hell. Will definitely buy this book when it comes out~
I’ve never had a male boss. I feel it’s easier to talk to women, well for me. All my bosses have been kind.
I’ve been fortunate never to have this kind of boss. In fact my female bosses have all been great (big sisterly, easy to get along with, and knew their stuff jobwise) while I did have one male boss that drove me to resign. Really–it was just not worth putting up with, facing someone everyday who refused to give me any direction and found fault with everything I did. Anyone see the hilarious movie Horrible Bosses? I could relate to the guy that worked under the Kevin Spacey character.
Thanks for this article. It’s spot-on. I’m dealing with a hybrid of these personalities (Micro-Manager Screamer, Narcissist and Liar).
What I’m finding is most of the asshole bosses I’ve encountered (or have had friends suffer under them) have the following attributes:
-White.
-They are at least in their late 40s.
-Significantly Fat or just outright obese.
-Divorced, never been married or got married much later in life.
-Childless.
-Competitive–everything has to be a pissing contest.
-Have no control over their temper or emotions, make a Federal Case out of everything.
I got this current manager, as the result of a corporate acquisition. When this lady reached out to me for introduction, I knew that she was bat-shit crazy, having dealt with four other female managers like her.
Ironically, I have had very little problems with male managers–only one (and he acted like a petty female).
I will avoid female bosses like they are The Plague. Especially the type I described.