So.. a lot of you may remember that I recently took a management position for a national company's NE region.
I had to cut out almost all of my daily female presentation. I got to keep my pony-tail, but even 'mall level' earrings were 'too much'. So, I had to swap to button front shirts, creased pants and wing-tips.
I'm leading a group of techies running from 5-ish years of experience to 20+ years. The last two managers these guys had were 'Managers'. Critters who had NO technical experience. I was worried when I was first given this position about my acceptance, but I have pretty much 100% acceptance by the crew. (Yah, I know that is unusual, and I'm lucky).
I find myself becoming a form of 'Mom' to them. My female traits are showing up, regardless of my 'collar-stay'd role.
Each team member has individual needs and strengths. After initial bluster, each one is getting comfortable with showing me where they are weak. I have other managers asking me for advice and thoughts on problems they are working with. The team who is 'upward facing' to the parent company is forwarding my ideas.
I'm resentful of not being able to wear pretties, but I'm still very much able to take on a female role here. I'm becoming Mom/Auntie. I just wish I could do it in a big swishy skirt.
"<3This above all- to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Pelonius. Hamlet, A1, S3
- MM
...
)
