Corporate India prefers man on top!

Online survey reveals 70 per cent of men and 41 per cent of women favour working with male bosses
There is hardly any sphere in the professional world that today’s women haven’t touched. But even after overcoming several hurdles to climb the corporate ladder and shattering stereotypes, top positions seem to elude even the most laborious of the lot. Reason? Employee preferences continue to be tilted in favour of male bosses, a recent survey conducted by one of the country’s leading HR service providers has revealed.Four hundred employees in the 18-65 age group were covered under the survey, of which 89 per cent gave a thumbs-up to working in a gender-diverse team.In fact, 86 per cent believed that gender-diverse teams perform and achieve better results, while 91 per cent felt men and women in similar roles are equally rewarded.However, in a finding that reeks of double standards and discrimination, 57 per cent of the overall respondents said they prefer a man as their direct manager. What’s more striking is that 41 per cent of women too plumped for a male boss.The survey results certainly indicates that women executives enter the workplace with already one strike against them. Is a great deal of what we perceive of a typical boss tied up in cultural bias and stereotypes? Hyderabad’s power women delve into the gender dynamics and decode rules of the ‘man’s world’ for us:
Initiatives to weed out gender inequality are being taken, but the real change is yet to come
"I am not in a position to agree or disagree with the survey result, because it depends on the ratio of male to female bosses that the respondents have experienced. If they have worked under four male bosses and just one woman leader, chances are that their answers will tilt in favour of the former. Also, when we talk of women in the workforce, you have to consider that they have been entering the professional field only of late. Initiatives to weed out gender inequality are being taken, but the real change is yet to come. Because, in our country, a man is traditionally perceived as the bread winner. You also have to take into account how women in the 27 to 34 age group may not assume an active role at the workplace due to pressures of getting married and starting a family. At times, they even have to end their career at the mid-level. As far as this male boss-female boss debate goes, a leader’s personality is more important than anything else. You must be confident, assertive and have the ability to make effective decisions. If you have those qualities, you will find acceptance among employees, irrespective of your gender. But it’s important that the right job is given to the right person, because at a workplace, there are certain responsibilities that a woman might do better than a man and vice-versa. Both sexes have different traits in terms of innovation, ambition and compassion. Finally, if I didn’t have to take a neutral stand, I’d say male bosses are more generous [referring to appraisals, pay hike and leave] and see what [kind of adjustments] can be done, whereas their female counterparts, given their diligent nature, tend to get into minute details,"says, Aparna Reddy, Construction magnate
As a society, we are not used to having women call the shots; it’s as simple as that
"The findings of the survey seem to mirror our collective disposition towards women in authority. I do not think it is a gender issue, but more of a cultural one. As a society, we are not used to having women call the shots; it’s as simple as that. Men, in general, resent women bosses; it’s something I’ve experienced myself. A senior production manager just did not like taking orders from me, even though I would address him as ‘sir’ as a mark of respect for his age. So, if you have to get them to toe your line, there is no option but to be very stern and put your foot down. It may ruffle a few egos and result in the woman boss being branded as overbearing, but unfortunately, there is no alternative. The sad truth is that a woman has to work twice as hard as a man to prove she is good enough, yet she is given only half the credit. I guess it is just a matter of having enough women becoming bosses, and everyone will get used to it," says, BV Nandini Reddy, Filmmaker
A Majority of people consider it humiliating to work under a woman and follow orders
"The survey didn’t come as a surprise to me at all. No matter how much you shout from the rooftops, the majority perceives this to be a man’s world. I think there can only be two distinct reasons why so many respondents have shown preference for a male boss. First, because the majority considers it humiliating to work under a woman, being shouted at or having to follow orders owing to gender stereotypes in society. And second, from what I have seen over the years, they fear that their mothers, wives, friends, or peers for that matter, will look down on them for taking orders from a woman. It’s easy to typecast women as pesky and mean, which actually they aren’t. Instead, they are more emphatic than men," says, Santha John, Ad guru and life coach
A boss is always a boss,irrespective of the gender
"Even in 21st century, the female working population is low at all levels. What we need is public acceptance. These sorts of
barriers will prevail until and unless we get more women employees. If we have more female bosses, acceptability will increase. Women are more productive, systematic and focused. In a nutshell, more the number of women, better the result. A job demands professionalism and competence and has nothing to do with gender. A boss is a boss is a boss," says, B Sumathi, DCP-North Zone
Preference for a ‘male boss’ has just got to do with one’s psyche
"Things have changed a lot and I don’t think there exists any gender bias today. I believe the preference for a ‘male boss’ has just got to do with one’s psyche. Men dominate 80 per cent of the workforce. As more women enter the workforce, it would automatically translate into greater acceptance. I have never faced any problems because of my gender. One may argue that it’s because I come from a privileged background but it’s my firm conviction that ‘ability’ alone counts at the workplace. And I do believe we are getting there,"says,Swapna Dutt, TV show producer