An Each of Us friend has told us her dilemma at her workplace. Jill's supervisor, an otherwise reasonable man, has trouble "remembering" Jill's job title. Her title is Project Manager, but he wants to call her project coordinator or project supervisor. Jill has worked hard for her title and would prefer to be called what she is. Could it be that her boss wants to be the only "manager" in sight? Is it his ego that prevents him from using her title? Maybe he is afraid the title will go to her head. For whatever reason, he stumbles over it whenever he introduces her or the subject comes up.
Her work environment and her relationship to her manager are usually very favorable. But women are more likely than men to want an ideal work environment (see Each of Us.) While we obviously accept much less, sometimes our fantasies still linger. Jill's ego is at stake, also. She takes pride in her title. Too often we believe the men around us have plenty of ego but the women do not.
It is sometimes hard to know when to battle and when to roll with the punches. Jill has made her point clear more than once, and has decided to live with this shortcoming in her manager. I think this is an appropriate decision. We all accept less than perfection in our spouses, friends, and ourselves. Our employers can be allowed the same latitude. Awareness is the first step. Small adjustments make a big difference.
For more information on this subject and many other tips for women, jobs, and success, see
