How can a woman manage a male team?

The climate at work is of great importance. If your relationship with colleagues or your boss doesn’t work out, then you don’t even want to go to work. As a result, a person suffers while doing a job he hates. To avoid unnecessary stress, learn to communicate with people. Bosses are people just like us. Show professionalism, take your work seriously, don’t be late for work, and look neat. True, it is generally accepted that it is more difficult to get along with a female leader. Someone, on the contrary, believes that the girl treats her subordinates with attention and sympathy. We suggest not to guess how things will turn out, but to prepare in advance. Find out how to find a common language with a female leader?

Positive and negative sides of a female boss

Before building a communication strategy, let’s figure out what the difference is between a male leader and a female one. Describing the strengths and weaknesses, we will touch upon stereotypes and myths. The positive and negative aspects of a female boss fit into the following statements:

• A woman is driven by feelings, so she will enter the position of a subordinate if we are talking about a sick child or troubles in the family. The boss will let the employee go in distress, allow her to leave earlier and visit the doctor at a certain time. In practice, things happen differently. A normal boss will not put the employee’s problems above the interests of the company. He will understand a woman who takes time off from work more than a man. But this does not mean that regular indulgences will become a habit.
• A woman has tactical thinking. Such a leader does not make long-term plans. The chef pays more attention to the work process. Believes that if each stage is performed perfectly, then the result will be successful.
  

  Don't solve problems at the last minute. The boss regularly checks how the task given to the subordinate is being completed.

• Indecisiveness. This characteristic refers to positive and negative aspects. A woman rarely agrees to risky deals. Under its management the situation is stable. But the company will not grow sharply. Consequently, no new management vacancies will appear. As a result, career growth is limited. It’s true that women’s caution and careful decision-making have more than once saved us from careless partners.
• Flexibility and communication skills. A female boss is a successful weapon in important negotiations. She is ready to give in, resolve the conflict in time, and admit she is wrong. Flexible thinking allows the boss to close more deals. This happens because the boss does not hold onto authority as strongly as a male leader.

• Scrupulousness and attention to detail. For employees who want to pass up quality work as hack work, this is a serious obstacle. The boss will take time, but will get to the bottom of the truth. The consequences are unpredictable - a complete redo of the work, a fine or a request to vacate the position. For the owner of the company, the scrupulousness of women is only to his advantage. For lower wages, he receives an attentive and responsible employee. It is known that male managers receive higher salaries than women.

The above sides are conditional. After all, the style of behavior is influenced not only by a person’s gender, but also by professionalism, experience, and character. Therefore, do not attach great importance to gender, but focus on the rules of communication with your boss.

Psychology of a male leader

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT TEAM MANAGEMENT

What problems may a male leader ? Practice shows that a boss (especially a beginner) may have the following questions: how to manage a female team, how to make the right decision in a risk situation. Some others are also possible. Let's discuss all the difficulties, analyze case studies, answer questions and give recommendations to both managers and their subordinates.

Question 1: How do men’s personality traits influence their management style?

Male leaders are more likely to be self-aware and independent. They are characterized by an internal locus of control <1>. Therefore, men do not react “according to the situation” (unlike women leaders), but act in accordance with their internal ideas about the course of events. Nevertheless, researchers who have conducted longitudinal (long-term, many-year) studies of the psychology of the stronger half of humanity note that initially some men still explain the results of their activities by external circumstances, and over time they begin to completely rely on their own logic. Therefore, men are more confident in themselves (after all, the source of such confidence is in their own experience), consistent and persistent in achieving their management goals. If, when making management decisions, a feeling of psychological discomfort arises in the form of anxiety, then it is most likely associated with caution. Male managers are more objective in analyzing management situations.

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<1> Locus of control is a psychological quality of a person that forces him to attribute responsibility for events and results of his activities either to external forces - other people, objective conditions, fate (external, external locus of control), or to himself (internal, internal locus of control) .

Question 2: How do male leaders punish subordinates?

Men more often resort to administrative measures of punishment (deprivation of bonuses, reprimand, dismissal, etc.); when analyzing the behavior of subordinates, they more often rely on their own logic and prevailing conditions. All this helps them make an objective decision about the need for punishment, as well as choose the type of such punishment. As for female managers, they most often use measures of moral and psychological influence (intimidation, psychological pressure, entanglement with intrigues, etc.), and explain the behavior of their subordinates using their intuition. All this can create a feeling of bias and injustice among subordinates, not to mention the emergence of psychological problems for them (lowered self-esteem, uncertainty, inferiority complexes, etc.).

Question 3: How do men make management decisions?

Effect of age

Representatives of the stronger half of humanity, especially those with extensive (over 10-15 years) experience in management work, are less ready to make decisions in a risky situation (compared to newcomers). Women managers are also “cautious” in choosing a strategy. Men at the beginning and middle of their management careers tend to take risks when making decisions. This attitude of young managers is explained by the fact that they are distinguished by a high degree of aggressiveness, a desire for independence, and show a need for dominance and self-affirmation.

Influence of individual characteristics

In addition to age characteristics, decision-making is also influenced by a man’s activity, determination and motivation. Therefore, in some cases, if a goal is set and there is a strong incentive to achieve it, men (as well as women) may act impulsively, that is, under the influence of external circumstances. As a rule, men who value their independence especially highly also show great caution in managerial activities (after all, that same independence is at stake). If there are impulsive men, then, most likely, this behavior is associated with psychoticism <2> and a tendency to take risks.

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<2> Psychotism is a personality trait in the psychological theory of personality proposed by psychologist Kh.Yu. Eysenck; presupposes the presence of the following behavioral characteristics: developed imagination, originality of thinking combined with inflexibility and subjectivity, selfishness, lack of contact and some other traits that have a negative connotation.

What do subordinates think about male leaders?

Subordinates, as people dependent on the management decisions of their boss, are quite unambiguous in their assessments of who is better for them - a male or female leader. Moreover, the answers depend on the gender of the subordinate. Men most often idealize a leader of their own gender. This is what they say about such bosses.

Opinion. Anton Vasiliev, manager:

“For myself, I realized that I had the warmest relationships and the most interesting work when the boss was a man. Let me explain. At one time I was involved in a very difficult area of ​​work, but the memories of this period remain the best. I think because the boss was a man. In my opinion, such a leader always sees you as an individual and respects you. We constantly discussed something and consulted. All quarrels were extinguished at the stage of their occurrence. You could even borrow money from your boss if you were in dire need. And this is not an isolated case! The situation is different if the boss is a woman. This means a constant showdown of relationships, the atmosphere at work is “no good” due to squabbles and intrigues. In my opinion, the strongest and most united team is when the boss is a man.”

Some female subordinates take a completely different view and report incidents of harassment. This is also a problem, and most often it is connected and caused precisely by the fact that the leader is a man and, as a person in authority, sometimes abuses his rights. By the way, this was once a very popular topic among Western HR specialists (in particular, in the USA).

Opinion. Anna Sukonkina, secretary:

“It often happens that a woman’s boss is a man. Often such managers really like to pester their employees with attention. Sometimes it happens that some pretty girl who is focused on her career receives threats of dismissal if she does not respond favorably to the boss’s signs of attention. How can female workers get rid of the boss’s advances? What to do in a situation where your career is at stake?”

The questions posed by the author of the commentary are very serious and require special attention to the problem of the relationship between a male boss and a woman under his command. Most often, it all ends with dismissal of one’s own free will and the search for a new job. After all, not all representatives of the fair sex can withstand such pressure at work and are ready to fight to the end.

Thus, if we give an objective assessment, then, along with positive qualities (consistency, logic), male leaders also have a number of negative qualities due to the characteristics of their gender, for example, abuse of the right of the “strong,” aggressiveness, and sometimes a tendency to take unreasonable risks.

Table 1

Strengths and weaknesses of male and female leaders

To be continued…

How to find a common language with a female leader?

To really assess the situation in the team, take a closer look at the boss’s habits and behavior. Every boss has her own thing. For example, it is better not to approach some people in the morning until they have had a cup of coffee. Otherwise, the issue will not be resolved and will ruin your mood in the morning. Others don't like talking about work in the kitchen or near the elevator. In order to understand the quirks of your boss, 2 weeks are enough. How to find a common language with a female leader?

• Forget about gossip. This is not a friend with whom you are used to discussing new colleagues. Yes, she is a woman, but she is a boss. Therefore, it is better to refrain from gossip and stories about your personal life. A tactful boss will listen to you carefully, but she is unlikely to be interested in such details. If you want to displace your rival in this way on the way to promotion, then do not expect a positive result. A competent boss will not appoint an intriguer to a leadership position.
• Let's allow a little sycophancy. Often men directly tell female bosses that they look good. It sounds banal and it is clear that behind the words there is a desire to please the boss. It's better to catch the subtle moment. Not one woman can resist if her child is praised. Notice that the boy or girl is well brought up. If you want to note the chef's outfit, then say that the suit is similar to the collection of a famous designer. The main thing is to say such compliments at a good time, when there are no negotiations.
  

  It is inappropriate to admire the boss's costume when you are called to the carpet.

• Keep an eye on your workplace and appearance. A woman does not like a careless attitude towards work. Therefore, keep order on the table. Systematize your documents and put them into folders. If the boss asks you to bring a contract or other document, then you must bring or send the papers as soon as possible. A woman boss pays attention to how a person is dressed. Follow the dress code if the company has one. Come in clean, ironed clothes.
• Don't put pressure on your boss. This advice applies to men. When placed under the leadership of a woman, men try to change the work process. At the same time, most of the ideas are successful and necessary for implementation. But a woman leader is not ready to change the usual processes overnight. To find a common language with the boss, give out ideas in doses. Provide facts, evidence, show the experience of companies. Leave your boss complete information and give her access to materials. Gradually, you will realize your plans.

• Don't abuse your boss's kindness. It is known that a woman values ​​the team and is responsible for each employee. This is where concessions towards subordinates appear. If you were let go from work once because your child was sick, then appreciate this attitude. You shouldn't leave early every week. Come up with a backup option: grandma, nanny. Show the female leader that you appreciate this attitude. Go out on the day off to catch up on things, or stay at work for a couple of hours the next day, covering your tails.

The recommendations given apply to bosses who do their work conscientiously and demand the same from their employees. If your boss is a tyrant, then the situation becomes more complicated. Such a boss organizes her work process according to her mood. You won't guess what to expect from a female boss tomorrow. There are three options in this situation. The first is dismissal from service. If the job is enjoyable and you are not ready to leave the position, then accept it and avoid the boss’s bad mood. The third option is to fight the female boss using her own methods. Perform only those tasks specified in the work instructions. The method is effective, but dangerous, the results are unpredictable.