Do Boys Clubs Still Really Exist?
I just finished reading the book Seducing The Boys Club by Nina DiSesa, Chairman of McCann Erickson in New York. I first heard about it through an interview she gave to Marketing Magazine. As a senior agency professional, I couldn’t contain my groans at the thought of someone complaining about stereotypes, male dominance and glass ceilings. After all, I’ve managed to be moderately successful in this business and the last time I checked, I was fully female with working parts.
I decided to give it a read only because we work in the same agency network and negative curiousity got the better of me. For anyone that knows me…I love to have something to debate and discuss. I thought this would be perfect fodder.
Turns out I LOVED the book. Truly, I found it inspiring, hilarious and educational. I didn’t agree with absolutely everything she said, but I did agree with her general premise of seduction and manipulation. She basically sells the idea that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. That by charming your clients and making the people around you feel good about themselves, you can move ahead and get where you need to go. She also has a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude and lectures women to stand up and adopt some of the traits that we consistently attribute to men. In other words, grow a set and stand up for yourself. Refuse to fade into the background, speak up and be heard.
More than anything, I found her candor refreshing. I don’t envy the position I’m sure she has put herself in amongst many a nay-sayer…but she stands true to her beliefs and put it all out there.
I’m not a ‘feminist’ but I do think that there may be some innate challenges that women face alone. Same with men. Same with one-legged dogs. We all have challenges. But for now, this book is about ‘boys clubs’ and I believe it’s worth a read – see for yourself. I’d love to hear some other opinions!
