A Wake Up Call for Men: Women’s Networking Groups
Here is an article I found recently on Women’s Networking Groups:
http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2010/02/womens-only-networking-grows.html
Some highlights:
Why women-only groups?
“You can get help, keep your sanity, get other opinions and talk with other moms who might also be working from home with little kids,” she says.
When it comes to networking, apparently, men really are from Mars and women from Venus. In this post-feminist era, you’d think co-ed networking would work fine, but many women business owners say they prefer to stick to their women-only groups.
Women networkers say they relate better to other women business owners, who share their compassionate, helpful approach to networking.
Women’s groups have continued to grow because women feel more at ease in all-women groups, says experienced networker Annette Walden Mason, whose Painted Lady Enterprises sells greeting cards and promotional items.
“We’re more nurturing, we’re more caring, and we generally want to help each other,” she says.
“Women network differently,” she says. “I thought I needed to help women get back to a sense of community.”
Guys… two questions:
- Do you agree that men and women network differently?
- If so, why don’t men have their own networking groups?
1> Yes. Men and women are different. Not better or worse, but different.
2> We do have groups. Smart, successful men have a network of friends, formal or informal who help them find resources, meet clients, etc. Unsuccessful men buy into the Lone Wolf bullshit that says that we have to be tough and do it alone and never show weakness. Those guys are screwed when they are cut loose, no safety net.
A friend (a guy I have been having coffee with regularly) recently approached me with the idea of creating a men’s support and accountability group, because these guys, who had good careers, wanted an outlet for their creativity, generosity, and ambition, and they’re not sure where to turn, so they want me to lead it. Yay, my pleasure! It will be different from a women’s group, of course, and that’s OK.
Dave Kaiser
http://www.BigAndBoldCoaching.com
This is great stuff – thanks, Dave!