Barbara Apple Sullivan has written an interesting article for Forbes on line (October 28, 2011) about women as risk takers—or, more accurately, the reluctance of women as risk takers. The article titled “Women and Rule Breaking: Why It’s Essential for Business Success” begins with Ms. Sullivan’s observations based on some unscientific research she did with expired food coupons. Yes, you heard me right. Read on.Her observation was that male supermarket clerks were much more likely to accept the expired coupons than their female counterparts. Ms. Sullivan attributes this to the reluctance of women to work within the “spirit” of the law as well as the “letter” of the law. The author uses that as a springboard for a discussion about the differences between men and women in business and how they approach risk.
While all that is interesting and I am in complete agreement that women should learn to become more comfortable with embracing risk, I think there is more at work in the expired coupon experiment. I think that the result is also influenced by the fact that women are typically much harder on other women than they are on men. Women still do not support women as enthusiastically as they should, and many established women lawyers are not as active in mentoring young women lawyers as they should be. If you have read my book and earlier blogs or heard me speak, you know that this is a continuing theme in my message. I look forward to the day when we get the underlying jealousies and envies behind us and support women in every way.
Again, I am reminded of a quote from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: “There is a place reserved in hell for women who do not support other women.”
Think about it and help to turn the corner on this issue. It can begin with you and your willingness to help your female colleagues and resist the temptation of competing with them at every turn.
It can all start with you! Women helping women. Pass it on!
