"Helpful" Tips for Women In The Corporate World Dealing With Man Babies

Being a working woman is so interesting these days!

Elana

• Published in Funny
• December 9, 2018

Comedian and writer Sarah Cooper spent seven years working in technology for companies like Yahoo and Google so she has definitely been a first-hand witness to the double standard that women face in the corporate world every day. Inspired by her day-to-day experiences, she wrote a blog post about ‘tricks to appear smart’ and it very quickly went viral. It was then she realized it was time to quit her corporate job and pursue her dreams, leading her to write her first book, 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings.

Now, as the creator of TheCooperReview.com, she has taken off on a new adventure sure to ruffle some feathers and make us all laugh yet again with a satirical 'guide' for women in leadership roles. The guide is about how to effectively communicate with their sensitive male co-workers: How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings.

"12 Non-Threatening Leadership Strategies for Women"

by Sarah Cooper

In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they’re not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent. One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.

Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much? IS IT? Sorry, I didn’t mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.

1. Getting promoted

Sarah says:

Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you’d be great for the role even though you don’t really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.

2. Getting interupted

Sarah says:

When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.

3. Emailing a request

Sarah says:

Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don’t come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.

4. You already knew that

Sarah says:

Men love explaining things. But when he’s explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, “I already know that.” Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.

5. Sexist comments

Sarah says:

When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.

6. Finding a mistake

Sarah says:

Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it’s important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you’re too sure about it. People will appreciate your “hey what do I know?!” sensibilities.

7. Setting a deadline

Sarah says:

When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you’re telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.

8. Your idea is stolen

Sarah says:

If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let’s face it, no one might’ve ever heard it if he hadn’t repeated it.

9. Collaboration

Sarah says:

When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.

10. Getting ignored

Sarah says:

Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don’t take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don’t stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.

11. Sharing your ideas

Sarah says:

When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don’t want your male coworkers to think you’re getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just “thinking out loud,” “throwing something out there,” or sharing something “dumb,” “random,” or “crazy.”

12. When you disagree

Sarah says:

When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man- like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!

Conclusion

Sarah says:

Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a “secret power” because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn’t frighten and intimidate others. That’s what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.

Elana