Why do women with a bit of authority always get on a power trip?

Question

Sorry but it's always the female supervisors or mangers that have to irritate the shi t out of everybody.
So to any such ladies please tell me why you go out of your way to be extra rude, pushy and impolite to your subordinates?

Gabrielle; I know i should n't generalize but its almost always the case. And i have no problem taking orders from women (i do it with my mum all the time) but i dont like people who are unneccessarily rude.

Answer 1

Girl, lemme tell you, it's because women have been and continue to be kept down, demoralized and humiliated, than once one of us gets a smidge of power, better stay out of her way. No one is going to question her authority, and she is going to fight to keep her position. Some times, they forget that they are working with women, and that they are still "one of us". They get a little full of themselves, and it is because their having power and authority is very new to them, they are not used to it, and may not really know what they are doing. I know it is very difficult to live with someone like that all day at work, but remember that, at the end of the day, you get to go home and have your life, for her, that job may be all she has. I work with a woman like you describe, she is the office manager. My direct supervisors look at her and just laugh, because she constantly makes a ham of herself, without trying to. Her stupidity and ignorance supercede her big mouth and loud rantings. No one takes her seriously, no on respects her, and no one likes her, but we all just ket her think what she wants, and we don't let her get to us. It is not easy to do, but teach yourself to let things roll off your back, and you will find that dealing with people like that becomes much easier on you. Always smile, no matter how much you grit your teeth, smile because it kills people who treat others badly. You will always be a winner.

Answer 2

It is not just females. Now I do a byline in psychology (human psychology, that is) and I studied this particular problem in many areas of employment and education and other places.

It is especially rife in uniformed or regimented areas. So what causes an otherwise normal person to act like a sh*thead when put in some charge?

My conclusion, after much research is simple. Any one like that can have up to four basic flaws. Some suffer from just one of these, while some may suffer from two or probably three or in extreme cases, all four.

The first is that they are not natural leaders of people and therefore have no skills in the area of managing people. The second is that they usually are of a lower intelligence than their charges. The third is because they are fully aware of the two basic limitations, they never expected to go very far in life so on reaching what other people call a small step - like shop supervisor or charge hand in a bus garage, they tend to cover up their limitations by having an air of authority and strictness, and the best of all - Going by the rules. And this last is important because they lack proper understanding of the rules and why they are applied in the first place. A general trust in the correctness and accuracy of the rules are their guide. A complete lack of initiative.

Fourth and lastly: They may also have a mental problem of some sort and this one is out of my area of research. But it is there if any one cares to look.

They are mostly exposed as idiots if the rules are faulty. Such peole are in fact dangerous in an emergency situation. I usually just take charge when I see them stumbling.

Edit: Because of number three above, they have reached the peak of their abilities at such a lowly level that they are marked by a complete lack of ambition. And they are very good at following orders without question.

Answer 3

I have had to put up with this sort of behaviour my entire working life. Women are the pits to work with and the behaviour you are describving is not only typical but common. It is bullying. Women bully each other in a different way from men and this is not generally recognised by society. As a result no one does anything about it when it occurs. They are bullying you becasue in some way you are the odd one out. Maybe you are too pretty, too competant, to intelligent, too fat, to popular with the men? You can talk to your agency about making an equal opportunity complaint if you want to but you probably wont get far with the client company. You MUST challenge the behaviour wherever you can otherwise the group will percieve you as a victim and deserving of the bullying. My advice is to move on and try another employer but dont expect much.

Answer 4

I think you're making a big generalization. Maybe the problem is that you are uncomfortable reporting to a woman. Perhaps that causes you to put off negative attitude toward your boss.
Do you have feelings that women do not have the right to be authoritative? Do you assume that all women should be "nice"? Maybe you should re-evaluate your expectations.
More often than not, when you have a problem with someone, the problem that needs to be resoved is *your* problem, not *theirs*.
Figure out why it bothers you so much and learn to accept the many different styles and personalities you will run into in the work place. You will be MUCH happier.

Answer 5

I worked with women like this a couple of times. One tried to take credit for my work and it blew up in her face. When I worked with these very difficult people it was pretty easy to pack up my toys and go. However I have had women as supervisors who were amazing and wonderful. My current boss is a very kind, soft spoken, genius who knows her stuff. She respects the expertise of our staff and backs us up when we want to try out new ideas. I believe that if she ever left we would be devastated knowing we would not be able to find another manager like her. As a supervisor, I have worked with great people...never had to be rude or pushy. I believe in team spirit, never micromanage and perform as I expect others to perform.

Answer 6

Because society says they must act like men but moreso if they want ot be thought of as any way equal to men in the same job. Because society thinks (still) that men do it better.

Answer 7

Because they are inadequate deep down and need to do this to make themselves feel they are up to the job.
Most of the ones I've encountered who are like this feel that they are about to be usurped or that people do not respect their authority.

Answer 8

I'm going to get in trouble for this. It's when they get away from the kitchen sink. I blame the husbands! Basically they know they are inferior, so they have to over compensate. Most women only get in the positions of authority via the 'casting couch'. Anne Widicombe is, of course, an exception. lol.

Answer 9

They are trumped up idiots full of Sh*t, that's why. Low mentality yobbos. Not worth the effort to think about. Petty!

Answer 10

I think that just proves that women can be control freaks just as much as men.