By Amy Beth Miller, editor of The Organized Executive
“I hate working for women” a brash young male co-worker announced loudly one day in the open-plan office where we worked. At the time I was glad not to be his boss, but a few weeks later I was leading a team on which he was a key member.
I was just beginning to take a leadership role at work, and as someone who was naturally introverted it was a huge step forward for me to assert myself. “Brad,” as we’ll call the brash young man, had no trouble speaking and voicing his objections to anything.
At least I knew enough about management to not battle with him in the middle of the office. We had several heated discussions in the conference room, though.
Brad may have hated working for me, but he heeded my advice and ended up producing award-winning work. Over time, we talked more and stopped battling in the conference room. When I moved on to another company, I recommended him for a position there. He took it too, even though the head of the division was a woman.
I learned how to communicate confidently and become a leader over time, but you don’t have to wait. The two-day Smart Business Woman Training Camp with Simma Lieberman will put you on the fast track to success. Learn how to stand up and be recognized as a leader in your organization. Sign up for a session this summer near you.
Filed under: Resources & Tools, Smart Business Women Tagged: | difficult situations, new managers, new supervisor skills, respect, smart business women
