Does male subordinates have problem taking orders from thier female supervisors ?

Question

I myself have a fair exposure of both female and male subordinates, both can perform at thier will, ...however i do find certain male workers have difficulty taking orders, Why?
Is it because i'm a 2nd gender?
kindly tell me whatever the reason is......

Answer 1

No... haven't so far. It's pretty much all the same, to me.

Either one can be a good supervisor. And either one can be lousy.

But the short answer is yes, some do. I've known a few, personally.

Just noticed you added details. If it's only your male subordinates who have difficulty taking orders from you, then yes, maybe it is due to your gender.

A good supervisor generally has a good understanding of people, and can communicate about problems on either side. Maybe that's the best way to find out what is going on with these guys. You could ask them if they have a problem with a female boss, without sounding like you're putting them in charge, pampering them, or promising them any kind of change... you just want to understand why there is a problem. Showing respect and concern for them, while maintaining your authority and professionalism should earn or maintain their respect for you.

If they do have a problem with it, that could break down into several reasons. Are female supervisors uncommon in your line of work? That unfamiliarity may be part of the problem. It's not an excuse, or a solution for you. Just an unfortunate result of some guys' reaction to the unfamiliar. Some people pre-judge a boss by skin color, height, weight, or voice quality, too, to further illustrate superficial characteristics over-ruling what's in that supervisor's head and heart. If that's true in your case, it will pass in time, with *some* guys.

There's probably still some inherent resistance to a female boss (more by guys than by girls, I assume, but probably both) due to the way we all heard--or *didn't* hear--our parents talk about the issue, and to what we see--or don't--on TV, in the movies, and in our own experience. Since females in the workplace wasn't a common thing even a century ago, only a few generations have any real experience with it, in most cultures. Social change is sometimes glacially slow. Each generation has only a little more to gain from their parents' experience and perspective. I believe we've all been cultivated to be accepting of a male boss much longer than we have to be accepting of a female one. So, unfortunately, egos, anxieties, and distrust get in the way.

I believe these human traits are at the root of far larger problems, too, but that's for another rant...

Is it possible there's some kind of attraction going on with one of you? Mixing feelings of attraction with feelings of authority could be too much for some people to handle, whether in the boss' shoes or the subordinate's.

Is it possible, too, that any part of this is your own perception, based on fear/suspicion that this bias exists? Only you can know the answer to that.

Another thought is that maybe men and women have slightly different expectations or visions of what makes a good supervisor, and your style fits the women better.

Or perhaps you don't communicate the same way with men as you do with women? Maybe you have a natural ease with one that you don't have with the other, which could explain some of the different behavior. I could imagine, for example, guys seeing you easily chat with girls and feeling left out of the loop, and resentful... or maybe you chat more easily with the guys and they feel (even subconsciously) that you're therefore a friend they can take advantage of, to an extent (and not have to try so hard).

Please don't put my assumptions on people you know and I don't, if they don't fit. Your opinion is better than mine; I'm just throwing some thoughts your way.

If you feel you're a good supervisor and treat both sexes fairly and equally, I'd say try to trust that any gender issue that may exist is just due to those things I mentioned, or something I haven't thought of, and not to you, personally. (For whatever limited comfort and help that may be.) Otherwise, it seems to me, you'd be having problems with the females, too.

Good luck.

Answer 2

No, None that i have heard off. Any female who will have problems is the one who will mix friendship with work, Look down upon the male subordinates, Culturally men tend to think that they are superior than women this will play a big role when it comes to a lady boss. Let the boss assign duties because they are supposed to be perfomed not to show that even ladies can lead, Let that be answered from well executed work, that is all tasks are finished on time and with minimal resistance and more co-operation. This will make the men feel that they are respected and that despite they have taken orders from a lady boss but their place as men is still intact.

Answer 3

I don't think, Do you feel this? Basicaly what I belive it is good than the male Boss because you can easily argue if there is any issue but may be hesitate to discuss with male boss(bcz Hitler was male). But I dont mean about whatever the boss is male or female what is harsh in it?

Answer 4

Most guys have an Ego issue which will complicate matters.

But the essence of the matter is guys have a different way on bitching around as of the gals. so when challenges happens, the guys tends to want to lead in the resolving process. Having it their way.

You can rule us if you have an iron lady style and yet you give us the freedom to execute our ego way at times. Trust me, guys are soft inside when they have high ego!!

Answer 5

Some idiots do.....