MAGAZINE navigation:

INFO

ISSUES [currently viewing]

AUTHORS

SEARCH

Currently viewing:

Issue 2 > A little testosterone goes a long way.

A little testosterone goes a long way.

Mary Foley suggests 'toughen-up!'.

When it comes to men, I've been around plenty. Starting with being surrounded by guys in engineering school, then my 10 years at AOL and now as an entrepreneur, I've had lots of opportunity to interact with and observe men. I've come to appreciate some of the ways men operate that serve them well in business and in life. 'What?!' I hear some of you saying. That's right, but read on.

I'm not about to adopt all of men's behaviors. No way! I like my female attributes. And, besides, I can't be a guy nearly well as men can; they have that born-with-it advantage. Still, a little testosterone goes a long way. Here are some of men's 'testy' behaviors that bodacious women could benefit from stealing:

1 Let negative words bounce off. Men have a wonderful ability to not allow negative sticky notes to well… stick to them. 'John, that report is missing a key conclusion.' 'What do you mean you can't get it done by Friday, Frank? Don't you know how important this account is?'

These kind of words seem to roll off their back. I say 'seem' because I'm sure they have some impact but men don't show it. They don't absorb these words into their very being. Instead they decide if the words have merit. If they do, it's a problem to solve, not a huge character flaw that requires counseling.

2 Say no without guilt. Men don't seem nearly as concerned about making others happy as they are about taking care of their needs. Sound selfish? It doesn't have to be.

Consider that if they were so concerned about everyone else's needs they couldn't provide—financially, emotionally or otherwise—to those they care most about. They'd disperse their efforts to the point that they'd be ineffective. The only way to keep focused is to freely say no to anyone or anything that's not enabling you to achieve what's most important.

3 Act as if you know what you're doing, even if you're not quite sure. I have to admit, I was alarmed and disturbed when I first noticed this behavior. 'They are lying through their teeth!' I thought. Then I took a second look.

  next page »

Page  1  |  2  | all pages

« PREVIOUS ARTICLE  NEXT ARTICLE »

ISSUE 2 CONTENTS »

Currently viewing:

MAGAZINE > issues > 2 > A little testosterone goes a long way.