The Care & Feeding of Women

How should women employees be handled? Last week, to Wisconsin bankers at their annual convention, pert, 38-year-old Phyllis Brown, an editor at the Research Institute of America, gave some new tips on an old subject.

P: Don't tell a woman she's being illogical. "The average woman starts off on the premise that the way she feels about something is itself a most compelling argument. But if they aren't as logical as men, they're sometimes one jump ahead in their thinking."

P: Praise women more than men. "Women really expect praise in greater quantities than men. Your failure to comment favorably is likely to be interpreted as disapproval."

P: Don't correct her too harshly. "When a woman makes errors, your corrections should be low pressure. The sting of a rebuke is hard for her to take."

P: Don't yield to a woman's tears. "Give her an opportunity to regain self-control. Let her know you're available to discuss anything she wants to bring up. Explain the situation in detail. Above all, don't dismiss a tearful girl with an offhand: 'Go wash your face; you'll feel better.' Reconcile yourself to the fact that in most cases the cause of a woman's tears are beyond your control."

P: Be careful to appear impartial in all your dealings with women employees. "Women are quicker to suspect favoritism than men. When a supervisor gives a lot of attention to a girl who needs help with her work, the other women may see very personal motives behind it."

P: Bear in mind that women take things personally. "Ask a man the question: 'Where did you buy this steak?' and he'll answer: 'At Green's Market.' Ask his wife the same question, and she'll answer: 'Why? What's wrong with it?' "

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