Is it true that women who claim to be dynamic, ambitious and self-starting often come across as simply intimidating instead?
Yes, according to a recent panel at the 8th Annual Women in Business Conference, held at London Business School last week.
The panel on personal branding was made up of (among others) Melissa Carnathan, managing director at Merrill Lynch, Jane Champ of American Express, and Julie McEver, head of research at New Philanthropy Capital.
Each of the women on the panel claimed that despite attempts to present themselves as (merely) professional, competitive and ambitious, they have instead at some point in their careers been labelled as ‘scary’.
The panel argued that in the typically macho banking world such traits are encouraged in men, yet a dynamic edge is often frowned upon when exhibited by women.
True or false? Can women be forceful but not frightening? How can they get ahead without being tarred with the ‘scary’ brush? Should such qualities be celebrated rather than censured? Your comments please…
In my experience, yes, women MD's can and are frequently scary.
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