"Work is War"

A woman called into radio talk show host, Dr.Joy Brown asking  for some advice on how to handle a difficult work situation. Dr. Brown who is billed as "America's favorite radio psychologist" listened as the young woman talked about her job situation.

Working in a male dominant culture.

An influential co-worker had been criticizing her performance.

She was not feeling very good about the entire situation.

Her solution so far: avoid the guy .

Dr. Brown's advice:she was going about it all wrong. She was acting like a girl. According to Dr. Brown there's no room for feelings on the job. Work, according to Dr. Brown, is  all about performance.

Dr. Brown's advised the woman to meet with the guy and ask him what he thought she needed to do to improve her performance.

Then she shared a personal anecdote.

Years ago Dr. Brown was evidently having a difficult time at work. She was very upset. So upset that when she was invited to a dinner party she told people she had just met that night about her work situation.

The guy sitting next to her listened and then, instead of comforting her, said, "stop acting like a baby. Work is war. There's no room for feelings."

Dr. Brown liked that advice and recommended that all women pay attention.

I think it stinks. Not the part about talking with the co-worker and seeking his advice on how she could improve her performance. I thought that was great advice.

I just wish Dr. Brown hadn't turned it into a boy-girl thing. What I found incredibly depressing ( yes that's a feeling word) is that telling women they have to think like a man to succeed at work says that the way women think isn't good for business.

It's perpetuating the belief that women,no matter how many degrees they earn,no matter how many years they work and deliver the results, are biologically not as well suited for the business world.

Hasn't the dial moved one iota  since the 1960s?

As long as men are encouraged to believe that their way of thinking is more "naturally superior" for business success, the harder it will be for women to ever break the glass ceiling.

No wonder we're all so exhausted.  It's as if we have been climbing the hill, walking backwards for the past 30 years.