Coaching Commons: Star-Ledger: You Don’t Have to Feel Left Out at Work
November 1, 2009 – Star-Ledger – Newark, NJ, USA
A senior executive from Morristown, working in the pharmaceutical industry, was surprised when, at the first break during her first executive committee meeting with the all male top management team, all the men went outside and started throwing around a football. Wearing a skirt and high heels, she remained inside angrily waiting for 45 minutes until the meeting resumed.
Jane Bayles, the Director of Human Resources at Agilsys in Edison, feels that the importance of socializing with the boss is overblown. She suggests the proper focus is on “knowing what you are talking about.” According to Bayles: “When you show that you bring something to the table, you’re in the game.”
Sharon Dougherty, CEO of Glen Ridge-based Priority Coaching, adds “There are many successful women — and successful men — who don’t know who Derek Jeter is and who have never picked up a golf club. What is most important is to develop and nurture relationships with your boss and your colleagues.”
