Sister act

act SISTER

In a working world where strong women are often stereotyped as aggressive, are we all being as supportive of the ‘sisterhood’ as we could be?, asks HELLEN WARD. R ecently, I was asked to go on breakfast TV to participate in a debate on women in the workplace. The subject was, ‘Are business were very empowering, whereas some were happy to take credit from the powers that be for ideas and results generated by the younger men and women working in their teams, sometimes at least two female executives working at a very high level in our sector who’ve had serious bullying grievances raised against them by younger women working for them, yet they women meaner than men?’. And shamelessly. My point would have remain in their jobs. How? not in the financial stakes, but as been that such behaviour isn’t So, is there such a thing as bosses – are women harder, less necessarily gender specific. It all the sisterhood? Sometimes yes, kind, more manipulative, bitchier? depends on whether somebody other times no. Being a tough

On items like this you can never is kind, considerate and views cookie in business as a woman try to sit on the fence so they their role of responsibility as can label you a ‘ball breaker’ wanted me to fight the women’s an opportunity to praise and when in reality it’s simply that corner and say that, from my motivate younger team members you don’t take any crap. That experience, men were meaner. working for them, or whether sort of stereotyping is sexism at

The trouble is, I’m not sure it’s that they are selfish and greedy its worst. My business acumen black and white. Luckily, the item enough to tread over anybody has nothing to do with my got pulled because of a breaking in order to climb that corporate gender and hopefully everything news issue, so the media spotlight ladder. Some women can be to do with my brain. Some of was turned to something else. fantastic bosses, as can some the worst ego-fuelled back

I don’t think that anyone could men – and both sexes can be utter stabbing I’ve ever experienced argue the fact that the beauty bullying pigs in the workplace. has been from women who have industry is predominantly made up gone on to PR their ‘sisterhood’ of women. From therapists to nail Stereotyping credentials. What a shame. PB techs, female workers outnumber Trying to stereotype it by gender men in the beauty and spa sector. doesn’t help anyone. Hopefully,

While the vast majority of women karma will out and if you’re an Hellen Ward is managing director of Richard Ward in leadership or managerial roles unpleasant boss, you won’t keep Hair & Metrospa in are hugely nurturing and take the hold of your staff and eventually London, one of the most mentoring element of their role you’ll get found out. profitable independent salons in the UK. She is beauty extremely seriously, some are not. I think that women in general ambassador for the National Hair

Equally, some of the men I are hugely supportive of other & Beauty Federation (NHBF). worked with before I had my own women. However, I also know of hellen@professionalbeauty.co.uk