A&O teaches female associates to communicate

Readers' comments (23)

• Anonymous | 14-Sep-2009 1:58 pm

  How patronising can one get.....

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• Anonymous | 14-Sep-2009 2:57 pm

  Remember Freshfields' version? It makes A&O look a right-on commune.
  
  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1100551/Wear-high-heels-embrace-feminity-Legal-firms-advice-female-lawyers.html

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• Anonymous | 14-Sep-2009 4:40 pm

  Why is it that women, have to be taught to communicate in a way compatible to men? Are we jumping up and down when male colleagues can't seem to communicate with female clients? It seems a bit of a joke really. Are the clients saying they don't understand female lawyers? From what I can see these issues seem to raise their head as a reason why women aren't being promoted when the reality is women can communicate just fine. Women do not lack skills, ability or gravitas, they may lack some confidence which is usually as a result of constantly being told that they have a lack of skills regardless of whether they do or don't. Promote and recognise women simple.

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• Anonymous | 14-Sep-2009 5:07 pm

  I don't belive that women need to be taught to communicate in a way which is compatible to men, rather a way which is compatible for everyone. In my experience, women partners often lack the softer skills required to foster good client and staff relationships. A lot of this emmanates from some percieved pressure upon high powered women to act like 'bitches', when this is clearly not necessary.

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• Anonymous | 14-Sep-2009 5:42 pm

  Hard to tell from the details if this is really targetted at women. But if it is it is really condescending and patronising.

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• Mad Max | 14-Sep-2009 7:26 pm

  I seem to have be taken away to a different period, a bit like that TV programme about the cop from the 70s. Women don't need communication skills; everyone needs them. Or are we talking about something else, like a working knowledge of the West Ham line-up or the ability to comment on the relative merits of men's bums as they stand at the bar?

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• David | 15-Sep-2009 11:54 am

  Bit odd that its just aimed at associates, and women only too. I think a fair number of partners there could benefit from going on a few management/communication courses.
  Resistance is futile - unless you are mega keen to be a partner (yawn) or have a fetish for photcopiers/crackberrys and playing the gimp escape the MC as soon as you can - you are a long time dead!

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• Anonymous | 15-Sep-2009 5:55 pm

  So women have to be taught to communicate effectively with the crusty old buffers and thrusting young oiks around the City - shame on you all.

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• Anonymous | 15-Sep-2009 6:27 pm

  I suspect that in the case of the crusty old buffers, it is they who need to see the light. In many cases it's not how women behave n the workplace that's the issue, it's how their behaviour differs from what might be expected of a "lady" by said crusties.
  That and their complete indifference to the fortunes of Chelsea FC or the merits of fast cars. Endless locker-room chat can feel very exclusive to many women.

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• Anonymous | 15-Sep-2009 8:28 pm

  The article says "This means ­looking at some of the softer skills - not just for women but for all associates"
  
  But is targeted at women. There must be some good reason for this? Maybe the women were more interested in participating?

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