Which is better for a boss?

Which is better for a boss?

by SouthernFriedInfidel | Published on March 16th, 2009, 8:54 am | Life

Male or female?

I currently have a female boss that I have a lot of respect for, both personally and professionally. I've also had female bosses who were technical idiots and had no clue how to lead.

The same can be said of the male bosses I've dealt with over the years. I've enjoyed working with respectable professionals and suffered under some real creeps.

For me, gender isn't part of the question. I don't care what my boss looks like, so long as she or he is competent in the field being managed, and so long as she or he knows how to deal with people. A good ability to teach on occasion isn't such a bad idea, either.

I'm pretty much perfect, and I'm a guy, so.. you know.. do the math. ;-)

Gender isn't the issue.

I once reported to a female project manager, who although junior to me in the company, was my manager for this project . I strongly objected to spending the evening working on the client proposal (because I had the knowledge and ability) while she went to have her hair done (because she didn't). I was told I was being sexist but I pointed out I would have been equally annoyed if a male PM had gone to the bar and left me to do the work. She had the nerve to complain about my tie the next day too.

She was good at working the client - but that was all. However In consulting that is a lot, provided you have a good team to call on.

But she wasn't typical, even within that company, and there were male PMs equally incompetent - although none who were as prepared to freely acknowledge it.

I honestly think typically most people are insufficiently capable of performing their jobs. Occasionally talented people in both sexes come together in the unusual combination which makes them compatible with both a) my personality & b) is qualified and capable to perform such work....