Stereotypes to overcome Many men still have misgivings about working for a woman executive, according to the Harvard Business Review surveys. Men fear that a woman boss will lack real power. Men think women do not know how to play the business game. Many men think that women bosses come on too strong and try too hard. Men are awkward with a female boss and do not know how to treat her.
Men feel they lose face when they are subordinate to a woman.
This is even more so in men over 50 years of age. When they perceive that the woman is only a token for affirmative action purposes, men feel they must pay the price by having to function under an unqualified manager. Men who report to a woman can be very difficult to please. The fact is that if you take an objective business-like approach, you will be labelled as too tough, even as a castrating female. On the other hand, if you show warmth and concern for male employees on a personal level, they can label you a pushover and try to take advantage of your weaknesses.