We admit it that some female bosses can be a handful. But then again, so can some male bosses. Still, if you’ve ever worked under a woman in charge, you’ve probably heard it all: she’s too demanding, she’s too cold, she’s never satisfied.
But how much of that is real, and how much is just office gossip wearing perfume?
Urban Woman spoke to women who’ve worked with and as female bosses, to find out what really goes on behind the stereotypes.
Tara
I’ve had both male and female bosses, and honestly, the difference isn’t gender, it’s personality. My last female boss was strict, yes, but she also pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. People called her difficult because she didn’t smile through nonsense. If a man acted the same way, they’d call him “assertive.”
Ruth
There’s a thin line between confident and “arrogant” and for women in charge, that line doesn’t exist. I once overheard someone say, “She thinks she’s a man.” All because my boss refused to let anyone walk over her. It’s like people expect women in power to apologize for their authority.
Ekaette
I’ll be honest, I once had a female boss who was tough, unnecessarily so. But looking back, I think she was overcompensating. She had to be twice as loud and three times as firm to be taken seriously in a male-dominated office. I don’t excuse her attitude, but I understand where it came from.
Bam bam
When I became a manager, I suddenly understood why female bosses get the “mean” label. You can’t be everyone’s friend and still lead effectively. Sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions. I used to try to soften every email, add emojis, be “likable.” It was exhausting. Now I just focus on being fair.
Zara
I think the real issue is that we’ve been conditioned to see women as nurturers, not decision-makers. So when a woman gives orders instead of comfort, it feels unnatural to some people. But leadership isn’t about gender. It’s about competence.
Nneka
I once had a male boss who was a nightmare rude, loud, and controlling, but people said, “That’s just his style.” When my female boss set boundaries, they called her wicked. The same behavior, different judgment. That’s the real problem.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.