Open and Honest Communication Advances Women
I remember when it was rare to be a woman in the workplace who wasn’t a secretary or in HR. I began my engineering career in the Air Force on a base with 5,000 airmen. When I arrived you could count the number of female officers on one hand and the senior...
Political Swamp Wars
Like everyone else I am tuned into this year’s Presidential race but I am fascinated by it from a different perspective. After working in and studying the male-dominated workplace for 30 years, I am fascinated by watching so much of what I talk and write...Why the Male-Dominated Workplace Doesn’t Teach Employees to Problem Solve
There are days at work when I just want to yell “Leave me alone!! Do I have to solve everybody’s problems for them?! Can’t you guys solve problems yourself?”
Twenty years ago, when I had fewer responsibilities, I liked solving problems, any one’s problems. I found it challenging. But as a manager with a constant line of people outside my door, all with at least one problem, it becomes overwhelming. I used to think the problem was that I was a perfectionist control freak but that wasn’t it. The problem was that my team of employees couldn’t problem solve. When I asked them to, I found I had to give them permission to think.
How To Energize The Dull Male-Dominated Workplace
Let’s admit it – the male-dominated workplace can be pretty dull. This is one of the reasons I liked being out on a construction site – we had a lot more fun! On site, we weren’t trying to impress anyone with a corporate image like we had to in the main office. In the main office you have to present a “professional” image at all times in case a Client stopped by and made it past the main lobby, conference room and senior offices into the back recesses of the main office.
A Blue Zone “Motivational” Letter
I came across a letter that I want to share with women. This letter is VERY Blue Zone and meant to inspire the overwhelmingly male managers within the company to achieve the 2013 financial goals. I am curious as to women’s reaction to this letter. Does it inspire you?
This is the actual letter – I have not changed much – I left out the company name and specific financial information. But I did keep in all the exclamation points!
