Comments on: Things NEVER to Say to Women Executives

By: Debra Pekin

Debra Pekin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:17:36 +0000

Julia, the onus is on the person who has the perspecasity to provide the teaching moment. Alexander who also comments in this list illustrates quite readily that men have equal opportunity to have stupid things said to them. The question is, are we prepared emotionally to teach in the moment, and not just lash back in anger, or stew in silence?

By: DK

DK — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:05:56 +0000

Robert, what do you mean by guage? Are you suggesting that intent is more important than it’s impact? What a man means doesn’t make a woman feel any less degraded, dehumanized, or marginalized by a thoughtless and insensitive comment. I agree with the advice above: NEVER make sexual remarks towards women at work.

As for the attractiveness of women, it’s very telling that men are able to ignore the fact that women in the workplace may find THEM attractive and sexually desirable. The “issue” is always framed around negotiating male desire as if women’s bodies are a sexual commodity we are just working around rather than respecting as equals.

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:43:41 +0000

I mean, I guess that manners are required in the office — but really, why the HELL is the onus on the women to be polite and use it as a teaching moment?

By: Fred Ost

Fred Ost — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:39:29 +0000

Actually, what I don’t like is the TITLE of this article: WOMEN Executives. I hate when “woman” or “women” is used as an adjective. One never says “men executives.” It should be “female executives” (or “male executives”).

By: NATIONWYDE

NATIONWYDE — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:10:34 +0000

Good one. I’ve had to say similar things in the military and the fire service! Said matter of factly, it catches them off guard and becomes a teachable moment.

By: Robert E. Repp

Robert E. Repp — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:50:24 +0000

We will make progress when the differences between men and women and the attraction which some women command because of their looks or appeal is not reacted to but accepted and embraced. The new gauge should be: Is the man trying to be demeaning or marginalizing or seeking an involvement? robert.

By: Alexander Thomas

Alexander Thomas — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:40:18 +0000

I remember accepting an Assistant Controller/Cost Accountant position with a large manufacturing company. One of my peers said to me in front of others, “You’re only here because you are Black.”
I responded, “Yes. And you’re ONLY here because you are White.” That was my “white priviledge” teaching moment.