Are female bankers scary?

23 October 2007

1 minute read

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...

AUTHORPaul Clarke

An
Anon
28 November 2007
The intense working hours do not affect a man in his twenties/thirties as much as they do a woman who tends to overcompensate for "softer" skills socially. Here I am not talking about job competence, but simply that the normal day-to-day interaction between peers or co-workers. I have dated female bankers and would not repeat the experience. I do not think that it is the men who are getting used to the female success, but the women wondering how to adapt to it themselves.
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Fe
Female banker
18 November 2007
These double standards are ridiculous. What about male bankers, are they ever "scary"?
One of my old bosses used to relax at the shooting range every week. After being asked to join him, I first thought he must be joking, and when I realized he wasn't, I put two and two together and realized the guy was crazy. It all made sense.
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J
J
2 November 2007
I find that some women act overly aggressive in order to be ambitious, I long for the day when women would be themselves and ambitious without trying to be a "man"
The same applies in media circus dominated by women where men act "feminine" in order to fit in....
There is no doubt that women do become great leaders and innovators... just quit trying to be anything other than a woman.
Pushy and aggressive people are unpleasant, Period. They dress up poor behaviour under terms such are "driven" and "ambitious"
Look around you, the most successful men and women around are ambitious, driven and most of all, charming.
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Ki
Kiva
29 October 2007
Are female bankers scary? Yes, sometimes, in the same way that male bankers are sometimes! Just because a woman is in banking doesn't mean that she might be behaving unacceptably! Ditch the sexist article pleeeease, this is the 20th century!
PS - Too many references to hormones in this debate....men suffer hormone fluctuations too, but they are just rewarded for the agressiveness instead of belittled for it....
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An
Anon
27 October 2007
I used to work under a top performing female boss - she was superb at her job - but was REALLY REALLY SCARRY - she was hormonal, moody and a bad team player - almost ended up ruining my career with her but luckily had a good escape - phew!!!
Have nothing against top performing women - i have been encourgaing my wife in her career - but for women to put up that hormonal face to rise up in the ladder is a despicable experience
A rattled male employee!
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