Do Women's Networks Belong In The Workplace?

I am a woman, I seek out books and blogs written by women, I am coached by a woman, and I am one of three founding members of the very cool, soon-to-be-released Women of HR website. 

So, why does the idea of a women's network in the workplace make me uneasy? 

A Sum of My Experiences 

I listened closely last month during the Women's Leadership Conference as panel members discussed  women's networks. One senior woman leader stated she declined to participate in the women's network because, "she was not a victim." This stopped me in my tracks with a flicker of recognition. Wow.

Flashback to 1985 to me as a brand new second lieutenant looking to make a name for myself. I was highly encouraged to join a women's network by my battalion commander. That network was the officer's wives club. Good intentions and gender aside, I had little in common with this group.

Flashback to early 1990s to me reporting into a new unit. My commander held the door for me, offered me his seat, and, clearly uncomfortable, asked if he could make me some coffee. Tucking away this little power of balance nugget, I assured him I was more capable than most of the men in his unit. We took it to the pistol range. Girl out shoots boy. Case closed.

The women's networks of 2010 are very different from the officer wives clubs of 1985, yet they leave me with the same uneasiness. 

Proving a Point 

I'd like to say my prowess with a 9mm back in the day was a result of my natural marksman skills, but it was not. It was the result of one non-commissioned officer, my Lady Wesson, weekends at the Ramstein Rod and Gun club, and a desire to prove a point. That was not the first time I felt I had to prove a point, nor was it the last.

I was treated differently because of my gender and that was the last thing I wanted. Is that what this uneasiness is all about? 

Or is it because women's networks do not belong in the workplace? 

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Comments

[Kate]

I am feeling that some flicker of recognition! I would have to think long and hard about this before I could say whether or not I think women's networks belong in the workplace. As a mompreneur, I can appreciate the desire to have a support group of women sans men. We simply have different challenge and worries as women/mothers. However - and it's a big however - the mere creation of a women's network is too suggestive. Voluntarily, we will separate ourselves from a segment of our co-workers? I believe it may prove to be a distraction when it comes to relationship building and cohesion in the workplace.

Great food for thought!
Kate

[Maren Hogan]

Interesting observations Lisa. I think we belong to a lot of the same "groups" within the larger HR/Recruiting Community so hopefully my comments here aren't taken as insulting. However, when the "Men of HR" calendar came out, I found myself wondering (sometimes aloud to my husband) "Would it be so well received if it were women with their shirts off or nude?" We're a fun bunch of people, so I didn't ponder too long on the question, nor do I think anyone needs to answer it for me. ( I think I KNOW the answer).

But, doesn't that in and of itself seem to point out a glaring inequity? If there were a Men of HR site, would we be frustrated and clamor to get in? There are "mom" websites, "aunt" websites, "dad" websites and of course all sorts of professional websites that include both sexes.

I would ask what the point is in a "Women of HR" site. I havent seen it yet, so it could be something I have failed to think of yet. Maybe it's just a place to share issues that are unique to women. I know there have been plenty of times Ive wanted to post something on twitter that most women would laugh their heads off at, but would be TMI for a lot of my male followers. Maybe it's a place to celebrate how far our sex has come in the industry, or to support one another in a workplace that is almost, but not quite, fair to women in all instances.

I don't know the answers to any of my ramblings here but thanks for posting. I'd like to see the site when it goes live and make my decision then I guess.

PS I have never outshot a man but outdrive them every single day. Vroom, vroom.

[Allen]

Hi Lisa,

I'm not female, so I cannot speak from that perspective. I have not been in the military, so that is also a domain without experience. However, I have been part of large corporations for 25 years in Southern California, which is quite a melting pot of nationalities, beliefs, in addition to male/female leaders and role models. I'm of the generation where people differences are not supposed to be important.

At an individual level, I'm hopeful our society is turning the corner on career limitations due to traits outside of one's control. To say that none of the 6 billion people on this planet have no prejudice is unrealistic. To say that all corporations and companies treat people equally is also unrealistic. I believe most of life's questions and endeavors need to consider what is at the root of the activity.

So, I would ask what the root intent of the women’s network. If it is to share experiences and career planning in an environment where people feel most comfortable, in this case women only, then there is no specific harm in that activity. If the network is to mobilize and take on prejudicial causes, then I would be concerned.

We all are complicated. If a network helps resolve/understand life's complexity, I would be all for it. If there are hidden agendas for groups that use a particular label that is misleading, then the group will ultimately fail and our excellent human skill of ferreting out frauds will make the group meaningless; which would be too bad if the majority of the group is well intentioned.

[Crystal Peterson]

Hi Lisa - Good post and good question. I think these kinds of networks can be helpful and beneficial if used in the right way. Early in my career, I was in a women's network and a network for minorities. What was useful to me was not the highlighting of the differences, but useful tools and techniques from more senior level professionals who had been there, done that. We'd all like to be treated equally, judged on our experience and skills and not gender, race or anything else but unfortunately that isn't always the case. And strong senior professionals that can help younger professionals pave the way is a good thing. So if those networks do that, I see it as a win. If it's a lot of complaining with zero action, it's a loss.

[Lisa Rosendahl]

@Kate, that's exactly what I am struggling with because I feel like I am talking out of both sides of my head when I value the support if my women friends outside the workplace but am uneasy about a formal network in the workplace. Maybe it just is what it is and nothing more - I don't know.

@Maren, I am so glad you commented. Your questions - they made me stop and think. We are looking at Women of HR as a place to discuss HR and business issues unique to or of interest to women today. Not at all exclusionary, but rather inclusionary where anyone can contribute and join the discussion.

@Allen, I am with you 100% - NO HIDDEN AGENDAS ALLOWED - Ever!

@Crystal, it's great to hear your perspective as someone who benefitted from a workplace network. You are right on with your comment about complaining. Whether it happens or not, a perception that network = complaint is a real problem.