re: Is It Really "a Man's World?"

Julianne Weight — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:49:40 GMT

I'm not sure what it is you're trying to say, Jay. That it should be okay for women to get emotional and cry in meetings if their feelings are hurt?

This isn't an issue limited to MT or to female-dominated industries. In 2007, although women made up almost half the work force, there were only 8 female CEOs in the Fortune 500. Women still earn approximately 80% of what their male coworkers make.

When we're dealing with clients, we're dealing primarily with men. When we're competing for clients, we're competing primarily against men. It isn't a perception that we're playing in a men's world - it's a reality. The work force may be comprised primarily of women, but the executive level is primarily men. There are very few women heading up large MTSOs. And the ones I've met who do know how to - you guessed it - play the game like the men do. They may go home and cry, but they know when to stay tough. A woman who goes into a man's world and acts like a woman will be treated like a woman - she'll be paid less and she won't be taken seriously.