Career

India
July 2, 2010 9:54am CST
Is it difficult to deal with lady sub-ordinate for male? if so why? What precaution should be taken to maintain workable boss-subordinate relationship while dealing with lady subordinate?
6 responses
• India
2 Jul 10
If male happens to be the boss and female happens to be his subordinate then it is not at difficult to deal with her as long as boss does not underestimate her skill level and she does not overestimate her own by comparison with other gender. This is the only precaution both must take.
1 person likes this
• India
2 Jul 10
Thank you for response sir. Yes overestimating or underestimating is always problem, even while dealing with same gender sub-ordinates.
@allknowing (137914)
• India
3 Jul 10
The only difference would be that if you are in the habit of patting your male subordinate on his back or boxing him on his stomach for fun you may not do it with a lady. I find no other difference!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
3 Jul 10
Yes..boxing her in the stomach may not be the best idea.
• India
3 Jul 10
Hi allknowing! Thanks for reminding me. I have to check my habits I am used to put hand on shoulder and pat on back with my male sub-ordinates. I will definately not do so with female subordinates. Other thing i will have to check is my tone which changes suddenly when sub-ordinate shirks responsibility or act without due diligence.
@allknowing (137914)
• India
4 Jul 10
Once you practice that tone on a lady you should use it for your male subordinates too. Why not? They too could be handled gently.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
3 Jul 10
I would have to agree with all your current responders about this issue. Women can be very capable and unestimating her might cause the company a great loss. I think that thinking of her as "one of the guys" might be a bit of a mistake as well. She should still be treated as a lady...ex. language, physical interaction. She will want to be treated equally as well. Her ideas should be considered in the same manner that a male employee is. Otherwise she will feel less important and not give her all to the position.
• India
3 Jul 10
Hi jenInTn Thanks for sharing valuable thoughts. It will sure help me. What i feel is trick lies in treating her as lady without letting her know she is treated in special way just because she is lady. e.g. working overtime or on off days etc should be avoided for lady sub-ordinates as per me, in addition to what all has been said here.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
4 Jul 10
Hi Common, In my almost 20 years of work experience, I have only had two male bosses, and both are short-lived. Personally, I never had problems with a male boss, but I still prefer a female boss because I feel that I can be more open and vocal to them than with my male superior. For as long as you know your responsibilities and you deliver what is expected of you, I don't think the immediate superior's gender will really matter.
• India
4 Jul 10
Hi friend, well said indeed. If sub-ordinate is perfect in work and delivers results in time there should be no issue regarding who is the superior.
@cloud31 (5809)
2 Jul 10
Hello friend, Theres not much difficult on this situation whether who gonna be the boss and the subordinate, as long as they can understand each other and make vision and coordinate with what they should tackle position and responsibility in the workplace. Only few words I can say to be able to attain a good relationship in what ever post they belong, respect and responsibility is a must.. Miss you friend and Have a pleasant day!!
• India
2 Jul 10
Hi Cloud You can't imagine what pleasure i have derived by seeing you here answering my discussion. Thanks a lot! I also missed you a lot! Please be here always. It gives me joy and pleasure!
@cloud31 (5809)
2 Jul 10
hYou seems jumping with joy seeing me friend...Exactly you are absolutely right!Don't worry friend I gonna here for good..lol
• India
2 Jul 10
See cloud out of happiness i forgot to comment on your response. Yes respect and Realistic and reasonable expectation will help in having sound relationship!
• Philippines
4 Jul 10
Well based on experience it is not hard to deal with lady subordinates. This is as long as you will not abuse your authority.
• India
4 Jul 10
Thanks for response friend. If one starts abusing one's authority managing male sub-ordinaate will also become problem.