Passed Over for That Promotion? Could be Because You're a Woman

Even though Ed's a guy, he's surrounded by women in this industry.

As anyone who's worked in the gleaming towers of Hearst or Condé knows, women make up a large percentage of the magazine workforce. And as any female who's ever worked in media knows, it's all too easy to find yourself playing one of two stereotypical roles: the office bitch or the office pushover. And there's no in between, according to a NYT article by corporate coach Peggy Claus. Even though last year was a landmark for women — coming the closest they've ever been to having a female president — the state of women in the workplace has not made much progress.


Claus cites a study from Carnegie Mellon and Harvard which says that women who are perceived as pushy are less likely to be hired. In the Times piece, she elaborated on the two roles women are allowed in the office:

Women must still deal with a well-entrenched double standard when it comes to gender-acceptable behavior. Because of that, they often fall victim to self-defeating actions that can undercut their careers. They may assume a strident command-and-control approach or else turn passive — by clamming up, being indirect, failing to ask for what they want or need, and refusing to delegate junior-level tasks and responsibilities.

Even though women now make up the majority of the workforce, Claus writes that the women she worked with "across various industries, job levels and generations" were worried about being labeled a "bitch," to a degree she hadn't seen since the 90s, perhaps as a result of the recession where pressure to keep your job is at an all-time high.

Her advice for beating the double standard? Connecting "through a compelling combination of warmth and strength." She also recommends "being conversational, conveying a message in a specific and succinct way, and using humor, direct eye contact and a firm voice."

What do you think, Edsters? Have you had any recent anecdotes that made you feel like it's harder for a woman to be in a position of power?