3 ms·

I have an MBA from an elite school and I don’t disagree with you at all about the performative nature of authoritative self-confidence. For better or worse, con

I have an MBA from an elite school and I don’t disagree with you at all about the performative nature of authoritative self-confidence. For better or worse, confidence is a strong virtue signal in white collar work and more confident workers are seen as more competent. It’s no accident that most business schools hit presentation and interpersonal skills harder than any other subject — they’re the most correlated with success. I wonder if this is a reason why women and minorities are severely underrepresented in the executive ranks — managerial positions are often the first time in our lives we are in a position within a social structure where this kind of outsized ego is permitted; much less a good thing. There’s a lot of societal conditioning that tells us to keep our ego in check or face negative consequences, and overcoming that takes time, resilience and support. I expect some of this filters through to all blue-collar workers of all intersections who are expected to be a replaceable cog in the machine, so there’s definitely a transition for everyone. Even then though, it’s a tricky line to walk. Men who are read as white with a huge superiority complex are “strong leaders” — even if they’re not well liked. Women with a similar ego are “arrogant bitches” who are constantly under the microscope by people looking to “put them in their place”. Black men in particular have it hard; too much confidence can be interpreted as aggression and feed into the worst stereotypes (“angry black man” is a dangerous label that gets people shot). Asian people have their own labels as well depending on where their heritage is. (I’m not blaming any one group for any of this — it’s a consequence of the time and place we live in. It’s just up to us to figure out if and how we want to change it.)

jsbaby608 7y ago
Your thoughts about minorities and women in positions of power are about 2 decades out of date. I've worked at many companies, big and small, in many states, and I never saw anything you described. What I do see is that when a woman is in power, other women try to take that woman down a peg. Men are respectful and now have to walk on eggshells because if you even breathe the wrong way, it can be construed as some form of harassment. Disagreeing (even if you have facts to back your argument) is called 'mansplaining'.
- wayoutthere 7y ago
  You don’t see it because you don’t live it. It’s death by a thousand cuts. Again, I never blamed men (or any group) for the situation — it’s just backwards American cultural values rearing their ugly head yet again.
  - jsbaby608 7y ago
    maybe you don't see what I'm talking about because you don't live it? American culture hasn't been 'backwards' for many years. Instead, we are living in a clown world where white men are openly disriminated against because they somehow deserve it and even questioning it is somehow considered racist or sexist. The latest wage research from google showed us that men are actually being paid less than women. Where is the outcry? The protests?? I've seen so many companies advertise their "diversity" by showing us entire teams of all women. Real diversity there!! Yet, there are people still convinced the US is a sexist and racist country. Want to see real racism? Go anywhere in Asia to get a job, where a headshot is required and you will be told flat-out that they won't hire you because you are fat, a woman, muslim. I want a world where race and gender don't matter...instead of being the only thing that matters and racism/sexism of any kind, even if you are a white male, is not acceptable.

jsbaby608 7y ago

Your thoughts about minorities and women in positions of power are about 2 decades out of date. I've worked at many companies, big and small, in many states, and I never saw anything you described. What I do see is that when a woman is in power, other women try to take that woman down a peg. Men are respectful and now have to walk on eggshells because if you even breathe the wrong way, it can be construed as some form of harassment. Disagreeing (even if you have facts to back your argument) is called 'mansplaining'.

wayoutthere 7y ago
You don’t see it because you don’t live it. It’s death by a thousand cuts. Again, I never blamed men (or any group) for the situation — it’s just backwards American cultural values rearing their ugly head yet again.
- jsbaby608 7y ago
  maybe you don't see what I'm talking about because you don't live it? American culture hasn't been 'backwards' for many years. Instead, we are living in a clown world where white men are openly disriminated against because they somehow deserve it and even questioning it is somehow considered racist or sexist. The latest wage research from google showed us that men are actually being paid less than women. Where is the outcry? The protests?? I've seen so many companies advertise their "diversity" by showing us entire teams of all women. Real diversity there!! Yet, there are people still convinced the US is a sexist and racist country. Want to see real racism? Go anywhere in Asia to get a job, where a headshot is required and you will be told flat-out that they won't hire you because you are fat, a woman, muslim. I want a world where race and gender don't matter...instead of being the only thing that matters and racism/sexism of any kind, even if you are a white male, is not acceptable.