Navigating a Female Boss: A Corporate Experience

I have worked with and for many women in my 35-year career in corporate America, and the primary difference I noticed was that some men had to showcase their authority, whereas female bosses did not necessarily do that. Some men let their male pride and ego get in the way of leading the team; however, this is less commonly seen with women.

In general, when a woman has power, it's vital for her to affirm her control over her subordinates and assert it in front of her peers, which sometimes takes a negative turn. Here are some common challenges one might encounter in a work environment led by a female boss:

Common Challenges with Female Bosses

1. Micromanagement: I once had a boss who would check in via WhatsApp, especially on Friday evenings, expecting work to be done on weekends, despite being single. This level of micromanagement can be overwhelming and demotivating.

2. Lack of Strategic Vision: At one company, budgets over 200 million were managed with cent-level precision. However, I observed that the macro perspective was often overlooked. The boss focused on petty details rather than the big picture.

3. Bias: Some female bosses either love or hate their employees. This can create an unsettling work environment, especially if your relationship with them takes a sudden shift.

4. Gossip and Personal Favoritism: Another boss was a notorious gossip. She would assess employees based on traits such as baking skills, ability to buy expensive gifts, and how much they smiled. Such practices can be unprofessional and create an inner circle within the team.

Behavioral Patterns of Female Bosses

Female bosses tend to show favoritism, which is unprofessional and can create tension in the workplace. This is because they often form an inner circle and assess employees based on loyalty and personal traits rather than performance.

Moody Behavior: Female bosses are more likely to be moody and express their frustrations to their employees. This can affect team dynamics and morale. They expect their employees to align with their moods, which can be stressful for team members.

Paranoia and Suspicion: Female bosses often view the workplace as a battleground to maintain their position. They tend to classify people as threats or non-threats, which can lead to a culture of suspicion and paranoia.

Anger Towards Questions: When employees ask questions, female bosses may interpret this as a sign of stupidity or an opportunity to showcase their superiority. Male bosses, on the other hand, tend to view employee questions as a sign of interest and commitment.

People Politics: Female bosses rely heavily on people politics to maintain their power. They care more about who is on their side rather than the quality of work.

Raising Voices and Disregarding Dignity: Female bosses are more likely to raise their voices and disregard the dignity of their employees. This can negatively impact team morale and productivity.

Sticky First Impressions: Some female bosses form a strong initial impression that is difficult to change. No matter how hard an employee works to prove their worth, they might never win the boss's approval, leaving them feeling demotivated and unappreciated.

Lower Motivation Levels: Compared to male bosses, female bosses tend to struggle with motivating their workforce. Maintaining employee morale with a female boss often requires individual effort. If morale is consistently low, the boss might assume the employee needs to be replaced.

Perception of Other Women: Often, when hiring a female boss, a company would choose a less attractive woman. This bias is based on external appearances rather than professional merit.

Positive Aspects of Female Leadership

While these challenges are significant, female bosses also have their strengths. Women might prioritize emotional intelligence and teamwork over strict authority. They can foster a nurturing work environment and are often adept at mentoring and coaching employees to success. However, these traits are situational and vary from one female boss to another.

In conclusion, navigating a female boss in a corporate setting can be both challenging and rewarding. Understanding the common characteristics and challenges can help employees adapt and thrive in their roles. It's important to communicate openly and set clear expectations to foster a positive working relationship.