My first job out of college was working for a beer company. Yes, I did have some pretty awesome perks–an unlimited supply of free beer and t-shirts and I basically got paid to hang out at bars and drink yummy Harpoon every night and weekend.
But now as I look back, nearly 13 years ago, the best part about working for a beer company was not the free beer, the fun atmosphere, or the interesting people I met along the way, it was the fact that the company employed very few women.
Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time, but as a woman at Harpoon you were just another one of the guys. You burped, you said exactly what you were thinking, and when you were pissed off or disagreed with someone, you told them. Maybe they’d disagree, maybe you’d get mad, but when all was said and done…it was over, you’d have a beer together and never bring it up again.
Working with women is different. We can be so critical of each other, so jealous of another’s success, that sometimes it seems like we’d rather get in each other’s way rather than lift each other up. Why do we seem more interested in pointing out the other’s faults rather than strengths? Does it really make you feel better? More important? More worthy? I haven’t figured it out yet, but its got to be something.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve met some great women too, but they are hard to find. So ask my fellow females: Next time you think of criticizing a great woman like Hilary Clinton for her lack of emotion, Oprah for her weight gain, Caroline Kennedy for saying “ya know” too much, or your co-worker for going out on a limb, try supporting her.
I know it will lift us all up in the end.
Mother Shaffer's Blog 
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January 24, 2009 at 11:09 am
Andy B
For what it’s worth my favorite bosses throughout my career have been women – to the point that I’m seriously considering only taking future jobs where the boss is female. Not exactly sure why but I find that women are better interpersonal leaders and a better match for my work style.
In short chicks rock! ‘Nuff said.
January 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Mother Shaffer
Of course women rock! Happy you have had a lot of positive female leaders in your life, but this particular article speaks specifically to the woman-to-woman relationship and therefore, I don’t think you (a male) have first hand experience on that particular subject, do you? 🙂
February 26, 2009 at 9:48 am
Stephanie M
I think the problem is that women have leaned to approach business like men. Maybe that’s why we are so quick to turn on each other.
February 26, 2009 at 10:00 am
Stephanie M
Oh and by the way, men are just as critical of and threatened by powerful women. They just don’t get called on it as often. On this point, I think women are no worse then men. You expect more and I suppose that is reason enough for your disappointment. I expect more from the “sisters” too.