Are women better managers than men?

A recent article on the New York Times titled: “No Doubts: Women Are Better Managers” sparked this reaction from Coach Laurie Schloff.

Laurie Schloff

Communication Coach Laurie Schloff of The Speech Improvement Company (Boston and Tampa) agrees with Carol Smith (right) of the Elle Group that women are often better managers, but based on her work with hundreds of females aiming for the C level she cautions ambitious females:

1. Women are still cut little slack in terms of ‘acceptable’ management behaviors.

Not only do you have to be viewed as competent, you must also be warm and nice.

Remember the Hillary Clinton candidacy lesson. She was widely viewed as too “bossy”until she shed a tear at a New Hampshire press conference, Glad that Carol Smith learned not to be bossy back in sixth grade. Many of Schloff’s client’s have tried to show strength by being tough, and though that works for some males, it almost always translates into bad press for women (Think the word that rhymes with rich).

2.Women who are too nice also suffer.

One client described her boss as “Pollyanna” always looking for the good side. Carol Smith wisely trained herself to give direct and specific feedback and to tell her reports HOW to improve. Many of my senior female clients avoid Carol’s wise ways for one reason that doesn’t work in the workplace.

They are afraid to hurt someone’s feelings.

Laurie will be hosting the following event: “Effective Presentations Certificate Program” on July 30/31st 2009.
Schloff’s advice: Get over it!

Speech and the City

Announcing a unique event in Boston…

The Women’s Connecting, Learning, and Empowering Forum.

As the job market grows even more competitive, learning how to communicate effectively and present a professional image in the best way possible is crucial. Learn how to strengthen what makes you unique and market yourself and your personal image to get that dream job! The Speech Improvement Company of Boston invites you to join us in this unique “First” sponsored by Boston University to celebrate and redefine how women communicate in the new millennium. This event will be a dynamic opportunity for women to network, learn, and socialize, while strengthening their professional and interpersonal communication skills.

This amazing event will offer a consortium of speakers, interactive workshops, demonstrations, and one-on-one personal coaching experiences with leading industry professionals.

Hosted by the College of Communication Student Assembly and Women and Finance, this exciting event will take place at Boston University, The College of Communication, 640 Commonwealth Avenue, on Saturday April 4, 2009 from 11AM-4 PM. We are pleased to provide a pool of experts to help you communicate for success! Workshops and meetings will help you leverage your communication strengths in the challenging job market to enhance your personal image and style.

Here are just a few of the innovative and energizing workshops and speakers we have lined up:

“Communicating with Confidence in a Difficult Job Market”
“The Power of Your Professional & Personal Style/Image”
“Mastering the Interview”
“Finding work through Social Media & Personal Branding”
“Effective Presentation & Speaking Tools to Keep You One Step Ahead”
Please RSVP and pre-register for this event by going to our dedicated page and receive a discount ticket for $5.

Drop ins are most welcome on the day of the event and you may purchase your
tickets at the door for $10. All proceeds will go to Heading Home in Cambridge, MA. Check out our exciting spring lineup of communication programs designed specifically for women at Speech and the City Executive Women’s Certificate Program!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Please contact me directly at 617.739.3330 or email me at

Lau Lapides, Executive Speech Coach & Program Coordinator

lau@speechimprovement.com if you have any questions or innovative ideas!

1614 Beacon Street, Brookline (Boston), MA 02446 (617) 739-3330 1-800-LETS RAP fax (617) 232-9430

www.speechimprovement.com • email: info@speechimprovement.com

Using social media to find a job

A panel discussion hosted by: The Speech Improvement Company, Inc.

An increasing number of anecdotes are surfacing about people landing jobs using social networks, such as twitter (See “How Twitter can help at work by the New York Times http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/how-twitter-can-help-at-work/)

What are the opportunities, threats and strategies job-seekers should be aware of when using social media?

There will be three short presentations from hiring and social media specialists to spur the conversation on. The discussion will be moderated by Wahyd Vannoni, director of new media at The Speech Improvement Company, Inc..

Please join us at our offices in Brookline, MA on Thursday, March 12th, from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Seating is limited.

Please contact: The Speech Improvement Company, Inc.

1614 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
USA

Phone: +1 617-739-3330
Fax: +1 617-232-9430

Social Media Landscape