Q & A Table of Contents
As The First Woman Boss Within A Libyan Oil Company, What Should I Do?
From: Fatima, Libya
Question: I am a woman and I work as an Engineer in Oil Company in Libya. My Manager has given me a good position in my department (Material Dept.) as a Coordinator for the Purchasing Section. I am new in this position and I don't know how can I deal with my employees particularly since I am the first lady who has reached this position of authority in our company. Could you please advise me how to negotiate with my team, especially my male subordinates so that I can be successful in my new job.
Response: You face both short- and long-term problems. The immediate need is to develop a good working relationship with your subordinates. Rather than focusing on issues relating to your own self-confidence, you may be more successful if you can help your employees feel confident that having a woman as their boss will not jeopardize their capacity to do their jobs well. In addition it may be possible that the men working for you are not accustomed to having a woman as their leader.
If your employees don't know much about your background, it could be helpful to have an informal discussion in which you examine the technical issues your department faces. During that discussion, you should tell your employees that although you are the boss, you know that a good boss is one who makes maximum use of the talents of her employees -- and who will give them credit for their good ideas and good work.
During this conversation, you should also describe your own background and qualifications and say, for example, "From my experience with the 'X' company, I have found that they need to be reminded about delivering according to our specifications. So far I have been successful by doing random testing. Do any of you have other ideas for making sure their product is always good enough for our company?" In other words, demonstrate your experience while letting your employees know you are open-minded.
Be careful not to communicate a message that puts you in a subordinate position, particularly as a woman. Assert your talents and skills without being aggressive. Build a cooperative mentality by inviting your subordinates to become partners in a successful team.
You should ask questions and listen closely to how people answer. If someone's answer is hostile or non-productive, rather than responding quickly with a negative statement or an indications that you are upset or embarrassed, you should put on what Americans call a "poker face" and not say anything. Just sit -- or stand -- and don't show any kind of response. More than likely, the person who has troubled you will feel the need to try again, hopefully with a better attitude. If you respond to hostility with your own hostility or some expression of a lack of self-confidence, it only escalates the problem.
The long-term issues you face relate to two issues: your interaction with your superiors and your interaction with people from other companies. Your interest within the company is to demonstrate your skill, your competence, and your capacity to arrive at creative results. Keeping calm and listening for what your bosses want will let them know that you take them and the company seriously -- and that you are therefore someone they should take seriously.
When you are dealing with 'outsiders' be well-prepared on the issues. Ask your colleagues what they know about the 'outsiders'; demonstrate that you take your colleagues seriously. At the same time, listen to the 'outsiders', ask them questions -- and then respond to what you recognize as the points they take most seriously. If it is clear to them that you understand the issues, they should treat you as a professional.
Working well with your subordinates and with outsiders should prove your value to your bosses. And behaving as a professional should keep building your reputation with your subordinates, clients, and others with whom you do business.
Good luck and good negotiating,
Steve
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