Why Should a Woman Be More Like a Man to Succeed?
We know women can be successful in their own right, but for some reason the idea that to succeed, women have to act more like men still survives despite solid facts to the contrary. Your brain, your intelligence and your talents are what matter, not your gender. Why should we have to prove that? Unfortunately we sometimes do; drive and getting ahead seem to be eternally equated with high levels of testosterone. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was insulted four years ago by a comment saying the nation needed a leader with, "Testicular fortitude." Seriously?
Women are doing just fine without testicular fortitude; We have our own unique brand of fortitude and it is working. According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2011 was the tenth year in a row in which the majority of research doctorates awarded to U.S. citizens went to women. Women now earn 57 percent of bachelor degrees and 59 percent of masters degrees. More doctorates are awarded to women than men in the humanities, social sciences, education, and life sciences and medicine. Women now serve as presidents of Harvard, MIT, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and other leading research universities. Their position in the corporate world has increased exponentially as well.
*
Yet even in 2012, women hoping to succeed in business are cautioned to "act like a man." No one has really explained what "acting like a man" means. If it means being aggressive in a take-no-prisoners push for success, then I have to say that this is not gender-specific. I know women as well as men who have that ability. I have seen women be just as tough as men when it comes to budgets, corporate takeovers, business dealings, military expertise, medical practices and complex financial matters. When it comes to succeeding in a chosen field, women excel. The only difference is that, besides being strong and decisive, women use positions of authority to create a supportive environment for all workers, something that can be sorely missing in male-only dominated positions of power.
But being nurturing and supportive of your coworkers is actually a good attribute for leadership. Dr. John C. Maxwell, a leadership expert, says that the qualities of a charismatic leader combines love of life, valuing the potential in other people, giving hope in troubling situations and sharing their talents and their success in a positive way that benefits all. These are seen as "female qualities" but according to Dr. Maxwell, successful male leaders like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs incorporate these qualities as well. So if men and women seem to be pretty equal in many ways as far as intelligence, strength of convictions and the instinct to get ahead goes, is there one necessary thing women can learn from men? Yes, and it involves valuing your own talents to the point of making sure you get the salary and benefits you deserve.
http://thealternativepress.com/articles/why-should-a-woman-be-more-like-a-man-to-succeed
= new reply since forum marked as read
