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Women enter the workplace unprepared for the power games they'll face on a daily basis. In the hierarchical corporate system, power is at the top and it is possible to become more powerful by dominating those below you. Business operates just like elementary school gymnastics - you can climb higher on the hierarchy by stepping on the shoulders of those on lower levels. There are a number of common and accepted practices used to elevate and maintain one's position in the corporate structure. Here are a couple I have observed:
 
1) Power-thumping. Any mistake made by another can be used against them to position oneself higher on the totem-pole. I call this "getting power-thumped." In the corporate world, mini-hierarchies are formed within the main corporate hierarchy that function like teams or tribes. They salute the person at the top of their hierarchy, and are quick to point out mistakes made by the leader of another hierarchy, with the ultimate goal of having their leader promoted ahead of another. When that happens, the leader takes care of his loyal lieutenants, and they too get a promotion. Men naturally form these informal groupings when they go out for lunch, take their clients golfing, or go to company meetings. It establishes a power base that helps shield them from criticism when they make a mistake themselves. Members of hierarchies protect their own!
 
Women, by virtue of the small numbers of their gender in the system, enter the business world without a power base. And because power is the currency of the hierarchies, it's hard to buy our way in. Furthermore, women are naturally inclined to operate from a position of equality, rather than positioning ourselves as "under" or "over" others. Those who choose not to show deference to the traditional hierarchy don't get the benefit of the doubt when they make a mistake, and don't get "taken care of" when the boss is promoted. Thus, women must work themselves to the bone to be sure every project is perfect and thereby avoid being "power-thumped".
 
What can we do? It's hard to be accepted into one of these hierarchies, and it's tough to make progress when you start from the bottom - no one wants to give up their position! Instead of struggling to get accepted into the traditional hierarchy, I would recommend starting off by building a power base outside the system. Establishing a base with customers, suppliers, investors, or other stakeholders means you can't be ignored. For our own protection we need to do this individually, but women need to do it collectively as well.
 
2) Power-pecking. Many people in corporate maintain their position on the totem-pole by "pecking" others into place. If you are higher on the hierarchy, you expect deference and acquiescence; if you are lower, your job is to support those above you. Men are good at this: they follow the boss and don't disagree or offer their opinion unless it is requested. Because women are more level in our relationships, we enter the job believing that our opinion is important, and we provide it to the boss without being asked. Unfortunately our contributions are not always appreciated, and those above use power-pecking to put us in our place.
 
Sometimes we have to do things that seem ridiculous just to prove our loyalty. I once worked with a peer who was promoted above me, which precipitated a reorganization of duties; many of his programs became my responsibility. Almost immediately after the announcement, he sought me out to tell me everything he wanted changed about a particular program that had been his responsibility the day before. Presumably, he was happy with it then! However, I recognized the action for what it was: he was power-pecking me into my place below him, and I had to nod my head in approval to show that I would work with him and respect his authority.
 
What's the lesson here? We come from different worlds but we are living in theirs, so we have to understand the expectations. Understand that power games are a fact of the corporate world, and it's best to go along with them. We have to remind ourselves that we are working in their culture, and this is what it takes.
 
For women, the basis of managing these power games is to take the first Stilletto Step and be aware of what we are dealing with. Activating our antennae and being vigilant are good defense mechanisms as we seek to understand the hierarchy and its rules and expectations. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't ask questions or give input, but we have to acknowledge the power of those above us if we want to survive and thrive. It takes a lot of energy to take on the system, and it's tough to win. But it also takes a lot of energy to pretend to be something that you're not. So I recommend you determine your limits and conserve your energy, fighting only the battles that are important to you.
 
Companies also need to recognize that they are missing out when women don't work their way up the hierarchy. By considering our different cultures, we have a better chance establishing a new system where both genders can freely participate. Wouldn't that be a wonderful evolution?

© 2009 Betty-Ann Heggie. All rights reserved.