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Can Sexy Women Climb the Corporate Ladder?

By December 7, 2005March 18th, 2018No Comments
left to right, steadily climbing boxes to show progression of experience and responsibility, four silhoutte black and white executive women are on top of four boxes, starting at the first and skipping every two

ABC News Article author Eric Noe writes, “A new study on women in the workplace finds that people are likely to feel negatively toward a provocatively dressed businesswoman in a position of power.” The article was based on the study “Evaluations of sexy women in low and high status jobs,” which appears in the December edition of Psychology of Women Quarterly.

Lead study author Dr. Peter Glick writes:

“Playing up sexiness is sort of a dangerous game, particularly for higher status jobs. It’s something that has more costs than benefits… For women, it’s not just about physical attractiveness, it’s about how you play it up… If you look too sexy, the stereotype is that you’re not that bright, and that’s certainly not beneficial if you’re planning to move up the ladder.”

Noe also interviewed Mary S. Hartman, a Rutgers University professor and director of the University’s Institute for Women’s Leadership. Hartman comments “The message now is not to dress like a man, but just to dress sensibly.”

DOUBLE STANDARD FOR WOMEN

The article cites an interesting concept brought forward by Ginger Burr, president of Total Image Consultants. Burr commented “she couldn’t think of a single image in the media that would serve as a good model for young businesswomen.” Burr also stated something, that in my opinion, people brush under the carpet—double standards for women. Burr shared with author Eric Noe:

“that women must accept a certain double standard when it comes to office attire and stereotypes. Men who dress poorly may be considered sloppy, but that probably won’t affect the perception of their competence.”

ABOUT DR. PETER GLICK & MARY HARTMAN

Dr. Glick is psychology professor at Lawrence University. His profile states that he “is a social psychologist who studies both the subtle and the overt ways in which prejudices and stereotypes foster social inequality. Glick serves on the editorial boards of four professional journals, including recent appointments to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Psychology of Women Quarterly.”

Mary Hartman has been at Rutgers since 1968. She created one of the nation’s first Women’s Studies programs, co-organized the first Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, and launched several new gender-based programs. Her bio states “during her tenure, Hartman was appointed by both Governors Kean and Florio to serve on the New Jersey State Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. She was also appointed by Governor Christine Todd Whitman to co-chair the Higher Education Task Force and later to chair the Advisory Panel on Higher Education Restructuring.”

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Ira Koretsky

Ira Koretsky has built The Chief Storyteller® into one of the most recognized names in communication, especially business storytelling. He has delivered over 500 keynote presentations and workshops in nearly a dozen countries, in more than one hundred cities, across 30 plus industries. His specialties are simplifying the complex and communicating when the stakes are high. He is also an adjunct professor in public speaking and storytelling at the University of Maryland's Business School. With over 25 years of experience, he is a sought-after storytelling coach, global speaker, trainer, consultant, communication coach, and public speaking coach.