AK: I think we just laugh about it and don’t get upset. DT: That’s true but then I think perhaps women tend to be a bit calmer when they deal with that type of thing. If it had been one of the boys there’s the possibility it might have offended his ego a bit more. And there’s more bravado in the reaction.
would the Industry benefIt from havIng more women? Claire Wasbrough: I did actually ask some of the guys in the office that question and they all said, yes definitely. LS: To be more serious I think men do recognise the value of the different ways women can handle situations and what we can bring to the table so joking aside I do think it would be better for everyone if there were more women. DT: I agree, having a good mix of men and women can balance teams out well particularly in a sales environment. I suppose traditionally women are more patient and empathetic.
there’s been a lot wrItten In academIc cIrcles recently about women and theIr “erotIc caPItal”; usIng theIr looks to get ahead as well as socIal and Intellectual advantages. are there any advantages to beIng a woman In brIdgIng? LS: I think women have an advantage if they choose to use it. There are women who use a slightly flirtatious manner to get on. DT: On the flipside though I think if you’ve made the best of yourself you feel more confident and I think you probably walk into a room and hold your own better than if you show up in your tracksuit bottoms. LB: That’s not gender specific – looking your best and presenting yourself well is important whatever your gender. First impressions count. LS: That’s true, I suppose what I’m saying is if men flirt with each other on the golf course that’s not going to get them very far.
LB: We’re never on the golf course though so it won’t get us far either!
on a more serIous note, have any of you ever felt thIngs are saId to you that are wholly InaPProPrIate?
(There are no attributable quotes in this section as panellists did not wish to named.)
Yes.
I was in a meeting fairly recently where the person I was there to see was just staring at my legs. I was looking at his face and he just didn’t take his eyes of my legs. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was embarrassed and honestly wasn’t sure how to deal with the situation. You do get things like that. I didn’t say anything.
You must find that sometimes? People’s eyes wandering?
Yes, but that’s not just in bridging. True, but in a meeting it’s that bit more inappropriate than if it’s in the pub.
I’ve had some crackers. Lunch with a senior guy who told me I needed to be taken in hand and spanked was a particularly memorable one. I didn’t know what to do either so I just didn’t say anything. But there is a danger that if you say nothing in those situations they get the wrong idea and it’s a slippery slope from there.
There’s also the danger that if you don’t say anything that person will misrepresent you to other people later and suggest you were leading them on.
I’ve found in previous roles also in male dominated industries that there were assumptions made early on about why I’d been hired and it was a bit nudge, nudge, wink, wink behind my back. I did come across a few situations I was uncomfortable in then. I don’t know if I’ve got a bit wiser to the situation and I perhaps haven’t let that happen more recently. It’s better to try and avoid those situations particularly if it’s a person with
some power. You have no idea whether they’ll take umbrage if you aren’t interested. That’s the point though isn’t it? Men don’t usually find that situation a problem and the women who do sometimes find it an issue, is there anything they can do to avoid it? Sometimes I don’t think they do anything to provoke it.
I’ve had people make the odd comment and I take the view that as long as it’s not worse than that I’ll just ignore it. Laugh, say nothing and speak to someone else. If you get fired up about it, there’s the possibility you might be being over sensitive, or that you’re “playing the female card”. Guys can get touchy about that if they think you’re accusing them of more than a light hearted jest.
what’s good about beIng a gIrl In brIdgIng? DT: From my point of view I work a lot smarter. I have two small children so I have to get in, do what I need to do and get out again. I’ve probably done a full day’s work before I’ve got into the office. I think I’m probably slightly more able to come in, be totally focused and not procrastinate like I might if I could stay late or work at the weekend. There’s also the fact that I’m aware I’ve had a career break to have children. I think that affects how you work when you’re younger because you know there’s the possibility you might take that break in the middle of your career. It’s relevant when you come back to work as well because you do have to prove yourself and somehow balance that with home life. In fact there’s quite a lot that home life has in common with bridging – as much as I plan to get out the door on time, someone is going to be sick on my top. Equally the cases I deal with at work are unpredictable and you have to be able to handle the curveballs at the last minute. I think it makes me less likely to get flustered. AK: Don’t get me wrong there are some very good male underwriters but I think the good ones are predominantly women. You have not to drop things and to be able manage a lot of things at the same time.
mortgage introducer NOVEMBER 2011 43
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