Ambition

Gender gaps myths 1 and 2 addressed the challenges women MBA graduates have in entering the corporate pipeline to success by already handicapped in advancing by levels and pay. They are also more likely than men to lose positions they’ve attained during a recession or changes implemented by new CEOs. 

Myth buster #3 is that gender gap differences reflect personal choices and level of ambition women make known as their careers progress. The most common suppositions are that the gender gap is not about “unfairness” but the choices career women make to interrupt their careers for family and children, or they are less ambitious when it comes to seeking eventual CEO positions.  

Silva and Carter, in their tracking study of male and female MBA high-potential graduates into the workplace, found when women and men were compared who did not have children, women still lagged behind in accomplishing their high-end  executive and corporate goals.  

Apparently, another aspect of this is reported by James S. Turley, Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young. Turley claims there is a problem with the accuracy of determining the ambition levels women see for themselves. According to Turley, it appears there a lot of second guessing going on. He raises the issue of how corporate ambitions are discussed with women.  

In some cases, the question of corporate ambitions is never raised, or without being consulted another executive may describe her as not being interested in that promotion. There is also the problem that arises when the question is  phrased in such a way as to dissuade advancement by saying “…you don’t really want that job, do you?”  This being substantially different than asking “do you want this job?”

Both issues —  career interruption due to family and/or children without out corporate flexibility and not accurately determining career ambitions and what sacrifices or accommodations women are willing to make — can no longer be taken for granted as part of the so-called gender gap.

Source:

New Research Busts Myths About the Gender Gap by Christine Silva and Nancy Carter http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/10/new_research_busts_myths_about.html

Gender Gap myth #1 for women was exposed showing that many women are not starting out at the same level of pay as their male counterparts. Despite their highly-employable MBA credentials, their career paths did not necessarily translate into comparable success in executive and corporate positions. 

The second gender gap myth exposed by Silva and Carter is how the economic downturn has benefited executive women. Their study showed that senior executive women suffered more than expected. Study results indicated that only 6% of senior men lost jobs due to the economy. Senior women by comparison took a loss in earnings at over 3 times that rate at 19%, and it debunks the myth they made progress and benefited from the downturn. 

The media in general has talked about women benefiting from the recession based on numbers of women employed and this is true when compared to men who have lost jobs. However, less is said about the fact that more women are holding service-sector, lower paying jobs, which certainly skews the perception of any benefit from the economy. 

Another interesting commentary on senior women is about those who have advanced to high level positions but don’t remain there. According to Avivah Wittenbert-Cox, CEO of her own gender consulting firm, new CEO’s often use the opportunity to re-structure their executive positions. She mentions the examples of both BP and Shell, where the number of high level women dropped following the appointments of new CEOs.  

So, it appears that women are still expendable despite the level of their achievement.

Sources:

New Research Busts Myths About the Gender Gap by Christine Silva and Nancy Carter http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/10/new_research_busts_myths_about.html

Industry Knows No Gender by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/03/industry_knows_no_gender.html

To encourage young girls the motivation mantra has been “You can be anything you want to be.” Young women have taken that to heart and graduated college at higher numbers than ever before, as well as, surpassing men in numbers graduated. 

You would expect that in the business world this would translate into more positions being held by women. Yet, some of the reasons given for why few women are not advancing into upper executive and corporate positions are pure fictional myths according to Christine Silva and Nancy Carter.  

Both Silva and Cater conducted a long term study comparing the track record of both female and male high-potential MBA graduates. Starting first with top US schools and then expanding to top schools worldwide, the results were the same for the four gender gap myths they studied. 

The first myth is based on the Pipeline concept. If equal numbers of male and female MBA graduates enter the “pipeline” at Point A, then an equal number of male/female employees should be turning up in executive and corporate positions at Point B.  

The myth buster here indicates a problem with women MBA graduates not always starting out at the same level or pay as their male counterparts. A second problem is that high potential women employees over the length of their career do not show the same “steep rise[s] in both organizational positions and pay” again as their male counterparts. 

According to Silva and Carter this places women on the upper executive and corporate track at a disadvantage since many are at a disadvantage from the start. 

It also serves as a double whammy to women, as I’ve written about this before. The costs women incur from their college investment is considerable, and more so, if attending highly rated schools and programs. Coupled with  their cost with the current economy, threatened rise in student loan rates and less long term earning power, women in the pipeline are being shafted (my personal opinion).

 Source:

New Research Busts Myths About the Gender Gap by Christine Silva and Nancy Carter http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/10/new_research_busts_myths_about.html

How could anyone possible suggest that macho cultures are fairer to women? The very idea is unreasonable and unrealistic. But, perhaps Avivah Wittenerg-Cox has found a chink the macho armor.

Ms. Wittenerg-Cox is CEO of a major international gender consulting firm.  She writes about a very interesting difference between corporate cultures. While the trend continues of more women graduating college than men, the number of senior executive positions remains male dominated. However, the point of interest is that the male/female gender ratio is changing more dramatically in newer economies in Latin America as compare to the older economies of Europe and North America.

It seems a dichotomy that macho cultures based countries like Brazil and Chile, could both have women as their Presidents and have a higher percentage of women senior executives. According to a 2012 Grant Thornotn gender balance survey 27% of senior executive positions are help by women in Brazil and only 17% of such positions are help by women in the United States. 

Ms. Wittenerg-Cox sees this difference as a strange mix of corporate and social culture. The macho based cultures such as Brazil view women differently. Their corporate interest is less about gender equality and more about how gender balance through differences creates opprotunities for competive advantage.

Macho Brazilian men surveyed said they had no problem working for a woman boss so long as she was “a woman” [translation meaning not the masculine type].

Conversely, US and UK corporate managers are focused on gender issues not as an opportunity but as a problem to be resolved in terms of equality.

Unfortunately, there is not sufficient information to determine if salaries, benefits and other corporate perks for female Brazilian women are on par with men. And, it doesn’t tell us what kinds of feminine skills women are contributing within the macho culture that are considered important for a competitive advantage.

However, obviously something is going on to warrant closer examination since this different perspective is placing more women in senior executive positions than any other country.

Source:

Macho Cultures Are Fairer for Women by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Harvard Business Review http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/04/macho_cultures_are_fairer_for.html?referral=00563&cm_mmc=email-_-newsletter-_-daily_alert-_-alert_date&utm_source=newsletter_daily_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert_date

Minibar for the Mind

The next time you do a hotel search for your favorite destination, you might want to check out their brain spa facilities. While you might not be able to do so now, you will shortly.

Hotels like the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) are planning ahead by anticipating what guests will want to experience during their stay. Hotels like other business study trends and how they may relate to their guest services.

Among trends identified by IHG is one known as the brain spa. Based on a 38 % increase in age 50+ adults graduates between 2001 – 2005 and the success of other brain health and brain performance products and services, IHG family hotels like Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza are gearing up. They anticipate that guests, such as yourselves, will be travelling to particular destinations for mental and knowledge improving events and experiences.

The upscale, Morgans Hotel Group has taken it a step further by offering a Minibar for the Mind. In collaboration with The School of Life, guests are offered a “…midnight feast” of intellect, inspiration and ideas… intended to create a more meaningful, enjoyable, and holistic guest experience.”

Not exactly the minibar your had in mind.

However, its’ custom made box is said to contain:

“Conversation Starters: A box set of 250 cards featuring questions, quotations and provocations.
Collected Thoughts (Vol.1): A volume of the best columns written by The School of Life’s faculty and friends, such as Alain de Botton and Ken Worpole.
Reading Prescriptions: Two tailor-made reading prescriptions from The School of Life’s Bibliotherapists designed to evoke moods of relaxation or seduction.
Dreams & Fears Notebook: An open book and a blank page to write down your dreams and fears.
Writer’s Block Pencil Set: A set of three pencils with quotes from authors Mark Twain, George Orwell, and Laurence Sterne”

If you think that you’re not ready for a brain spa just yet, or your travel plans are on hold, you can always dust off that old set of encyclopedias; get out that old hammock and place a pitcher of ice tea nearby. But, this is only recommended for those 50+ agers who know what encyclopedias and hammocks are. 

Source:

http://issuu.com/shinecomms/docs/ihgtrendreport2012

http://design-milk.com/minibar-for-the-mind/#ixzz1tOVVTdPR

has sleep apnea

Let’s face it. It has zero sex appeal to your mate and your kids get excited because they think you are secretly training to be a jet pilot. The abandonment rate is high, but the instructions to use are simple “put your mask on first before you can assist others.” 

Of course, you would want to put on your air mask when there’s a drop in cabin air pressure during your flight. The last thing you would want to lose is your ability to breathe normally. The same with women who are serious about their sleep apnea. They want to stay alive and be there for families wear it to bed every night. 

Prior to a recent research study of 1,100 women in Spain, most sleep apnea research reflected the conditions of the majority of male participants. This study is unique in looking specifically at the consequences of obstructive sleep apnea in women. 

The women in the 9 year monitoring study were  

• in the age range of their 50s to 60s
• mostly overweight or obese
• living with pre-existing conditions of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
• for the most part without prior history of heart attacks or strokes (20% were heart attack and stroke victims)
• tested and determine to have either mild, severe or non-sleep apnea  

All women with severe sleep apnea were given a CPAP breathing machine, as well as those with mild sleep apnea who report daytime sleepiness. 

A CPAP is an air pressure mechanism is similar to the drop down mask in airliners. In this case, it’s designed to keep the air passage way open during sleep. During sleep testing, the number of times breathing is interrupted either stopping or slowing down is critical for determining the oxygen level in the blood and oxygen level getting to the brain. A range to 10-29 interruptions is mild to moderate but 30 or more interruptions are considered severe.  

For the women with severe sleep apnea the value of CPAP is clear. 

• Those not using CPAP or using it less than 4 hours per night were over 3 times more likely to die of heart related conditions. 
• Those using the CPAP for at least 4 hours a night had no increase and had the same risk of heart related deaths as women without sleep apnea. 

Researchers using what is known from animal studies believe that the body’s fight or fligt response is activated by severe sleep apnea and resulting in heart attack and stroke events. It appears heart related risk factors of low levels of blood oxygen cause pressure built up, increase blood clotting, incrase sleep arousals and gasping for air . These can be reduced, if women are willing to use a CPAP device 4 hours or more during the night. 

So buckle up ladies and don your masks. Tell your kids you’re living out your secret desire to a jet pilot and tell your mates you love them enough to be there for them in the morning. 

Watch Rosie O’Donnell share her own story.

Source: Treating Women’s Sleep Apnea May Lower Heart Death Risk Study: Machine That Keeps Airways Open Is Linked to a Lower Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke Death by Brenda Goodman, MA http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20120116/treating_sleep_apnea-women-may-lower-risk-heart-related-death?page=3

Have you noticed all those energy drink commercials? They seem to suggest you need that extra energy boost, when your energy level starts to droop. Most likely it’s not so much about a drop in energy as it is about not enough sleep or poor quality sleep the night before.  

There’re a number of reasons for insomnia and poor sleep, but the most dangerous of all is sleep apnea.

The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea where the air passage is usually obstructed by surrounding tissue with weak muscle tone. As the brain attempts to send a signal to the breathing muscles, the inhaling breath gets obstructed resulting in a lower blood oxygen level and less blood oxygen circulatingt back to the brain.  

Sleep apnea often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed. While snoring, snorting and gasping are common indicators that usually dictate a sleeping test, women may describe other symptoms less recognized as being associated with sleep apnea. 

In getting a proper diagnosis, many women encounter health professionals more experienced with the middle age/overweight male profile for sleep apnea and not the more subtle sleep breathing disturbances they may experience.  

Some of the symptoms women are more likely to describe than men are —

• insomnia
• chronic fatigue
• depression
• waking with headaches
• waking with a dry mouth
•  mood swings

Consequently, health care professional and the women themselves tend towards treatment for these symptoms rather than considering sleep apnea. 

Related conditions associated with sleep apnea with obstruction for women include:

• Hypertension
• Depression
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attacks and strokes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Hypothyroidism 

For women it’s possible for obstructive sleep apnea to be misdiagnosed. If you suspect this may be an issue for you, see your health care professional immediately and discuss having a sleep test to determine the nature of any sleep disturbances. Having a deep, restful and restorative night’s sleep is something your brain will love you for in the morning.

Sources:

American Academyof Sleep Medicinehttp://yoursleep.aasmnet.org/article.aspx?id=776

 http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=26117

We’ve all heard it, but we think of snoring as being a “man thing.” It’s not a topic that women will admit to, most likely because they don’t even know they’re doing it.  

The general statistic from studies suggest that 45% of men snore and 30% of women. 

One characteristic unique to women snoring is the onset of menopause. This appears to be due to two factors. One is the drop in estrogen that has been acting as a respiratory stimulant keeping the muscles from relaxing and second, the excess weight gain where deposits of fat act to constrict the air passages during sleep. 

Other factors causing women to snore include —  

• sleeping posture
• obesity
• pregnancy
• nasal congestions and infection
• lung damage due to smoking
• excessive alcohol consumption
• family genetics
• abnormalities: palate, uvula, nasal cavities

While snoring is this strange sounding noise pattern, it’s actually an intake of air while asleep turning into a turbulent force causing the nose and throat tissues to vibrate. The sound itself may be disturbing and not very sleep conducive if your partner is the one snoring, or you are the one keeping your partner awake. 

Snoring is actually a serious problem and needs to be evaluated. It may be indicative of not getting a good night’s sleep, a source of constant headaches, contributing to daytime fatigue and nodding off or the more serious condition of sleep apnea. 

Sleep apnea is a condition whereby there is a delay in message circuit from the brain to the respiratory system to consistently breathe. There is an actual complete stop in airflow during this delay cycle. This leads to a drop in oxygen level in the blood and oxygen needed by the brain itself.  

It also acts as a complete disrupter to deep and restorative sleep. The sleep cycles during the night are interrupted by the brain signal finally getting through to initiate breathing. Once the breathe signal is received it causes the body to awake enough to breathe but not to wake-up out of sleep unless there has been a need to gulp for air. These number of these waking episodes are part of the measurement determining the severity of sleep apnea. 

This means that your brain besides its other nocturnal functions has to focus on making sure your breathe by sacrificing the quality of your sleep. 

If you find yourself waking up and not feeling like you are getting a good night’s sleep and looking for something to keep you alert and energized throughout the day, you might just be a nighttime snorer and don’t know it. You might want to find out before some family member or friends posts you to YouTube.  See below.

Sources:

By Smita Pandit http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-of-snoring-in-women.html  

Snoring http://www.medicinenet.com/snoring/article.htm

Are you an emotional crier? Most women are. Sometimes the tears are from sadness, sorrow, memories of loss, feelings of happiness and joy and for things that we don’t know how explain. It is also one of those things that confound men. 

But for researchers, a woman’s tears are full of possibilities. According to neurobiologist, Noam Sobel of the Weizmann Institute of Science, emotional tears are chemically different from reflexive tears – the kind the come from any kind of eye irritant.  Emotional tears appear to function as chemical signals. 

But, what kind of chemical signal are women’s tears sending to men? It seems the verbal language translation is “no” or “not tonight dear.”  

When 50 men were tested, they were asked to sniff both real tears and bogus tears of saline solution dripped down the faces of women. The idea behind having men sniff the tears, it seems that the nose is very sensitive to the chemical difference of emotional tears.  

Here’s what Sobel found out when he tested men with tears from women — 

• By sniffing alone, men could distinguish the difference between real and bogus tears 
• When asked to rate photographs of women, men who sniffed real tears, rated them less sexually attractive as compared to rating those when sniffing bogus tears 
• The testosterone level dropped when men sniffed real tears but not bogus ones 
• When their brains were scanned in a MRI after sniffing real tears and then watching a sad movie, the sexual arousal areas of the brain had less neural activity
• Men did not become more empathetic after sniffing real tears. 

The best researchers can interpret from this phenomena is that a woman’s tears is a way to signal men a lack of sexual interest or dissuade aggressiveness. 

On the other hand, this research tells women not to expect much male empathy when there’s a reason to have a good cry.

Sources: Women’s tears tank men’s libido Men who sniffed such tears produced less testosterone and found female faces less arousing, according to new research. by Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/07/health/la-he-womens-tears-20110107

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If you’ve ever had brain freeze you know it. If you haven’t then you’re in for a big surprise when it happens and it will change the way you think about headaches and migraines.  

It’s been know for some time that quickly eating ice cream or quickly drinking a very cold beverage causes “brain freeze” for some people. Usually this happens when something very cold hits the upper roof of the mouth.  

If you’ve ever experienced this you know that within a few seconds, there is a sensation of an excruciating pain shooting right up into your brain. Fortunately, the pain sensation is not long lasting but the sensation can be very unnerving. 

The mechanism is simple —

• The sudden cold sensation at the roof of the mouth travels to the sinus area where it constricts the capillaries, as the cold effect passes off the capillaries warm and expand.
• This constriction/expansion effect sends a message to the brain by way of the trigeminal nerve (a facial nerve).  
• The brain interprets this signal as coming from the forehead, hence the “brain freeze” effect that feels like an instantaneous headache.  

This strange effect has intrigued researchers.

A recent study testing iced water sipped with a staw positioned at the roof of the mouth reveals how the sudden cold effect also causes an increase in blood flow, possibly a reaction to protect the brain by making sure it stays warm.  The increased blood flow expands the anterior cerebral artery, which in turn creates pressure to build up within the brain. It’s this pressure from the sudden change in blood flow that is creating the headache-like sensation of “brain freeze.”

What makes brain freeze so important is that it increases the understanding of the mechanism behind headaches and migraines. Researchers now feel that sudden changes in rapid blood flow maybe what’s causing many of the headache sensations, and this could lead to new treatments for headache and migraine relief. 

You may want to be more careful about eating that ice cream too fast or gulping down that cold drink. However if you ever feel that brain freeze” coming on, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, tilt your head back for 10 seconds or more, or drink something warm. Any of these techniques will have an immediate effect on reducing your pain. 

Source: New Clue to Brain Freeze – Changes in Brain’s Blood Flow May Explain Brain Freeze by Jennifer Warner, WebMD Health News, Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20120423/new-clue-brain-freeze 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-cream_headache