Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer, dispels the myth of the ‘catty woman’ in the workplace, arguing that women are not inherently competitive with each other. Sandberg cites a study by the Lean In foundation and McKinsey & Company, revealing that women who support one another are more likely to succeed. The study shows that women who have an inner circle of close female contacts are more likely to land executive positions with greater authority and higher pay.
Sandberg also highlights the term ‘Queen Bee Syndrome’, a phenomenon where a woman in a position of authority views or treats subordinates more critically if they are female. This term, she argues, is based on outdated stereotypes and lacks substantial evidence. Sandberg encourages women to support each other, stating that the real barrier to women’s progression is not each other but systemic, ingrained bias.
She concludes by encouraging women to celebrate each other’s successes and to continue to act as mentors and sponsors for each other. She suggests that, rather than being threatened by each other, women can use their collective power to change the status quo and achieve their goals.
Go to source article: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/23/opinion/sunday/sheryl-sandberg-on-the-myth-of-the-catty-woman.html?_r=3