Women in Office

Presidential hopeful Herman Cain’s purported dalliances have been well publicized and lines of political contention have been drawn. It is the nature of the process of vetting our would-be leaders. But is there any other benefit that we can extract from this painful and often gory method? The obvious message to many (if it is not abundantly apparent, I strongly encourage another look) is to conduct one’s personal life with some degree of restraint. Playing duck-duck-goose around the office with someone else’s spouse is not going to remain a secret – ever. And, no matter how strict the confidentiality agreement, someone, given the right incentive, will talk. But is there more here? Does this case speak to the subtle work-place politics that continue to keep women under the glass ceiling and out of the White House?

If I stay late alone with and then buy dinner for a male subordinate, I am lauded as hard working and respectful. If I stay late alone with and then buy dinner for a female subordinate, distinctly different perceptions are created. One executive recently announced to a group of our peers a policy of never closing his office door with a female underling. I asked the group if this would limit women’s opportunity to advance. Doesn’t trust come from intimacy and shared confidentiality? If I can express with Joe my secret plan to acquire the company but not with Jane, doesn’t Joe have an advantage? If a solution to prospective transgression is to restrict access, can we ever find parity?

Of all the bigotry that has plagued humanity, is gender bias the most pernicious? Does our fear of one’s misunderstanding our intentions or actions prevent us from achieving a higher level of interaction? If in fact we are different, how can we be the same?

This column was published in the beginning of the Presidential Campaign when the news was coming out about Herman Cain’s transgressions with other women. It was published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in the Current in Carmel, Current in Westfield, Current in Fishers and Current in Noblesville - http://youarecurrent.com/