Early in my career I actually worked for a man who put a dirty plate and fork in his outbox, on top of some work he needed me to do, expecting that I would take it to the kitchen for him. To him, it was simply a practical, convenient solution, hardly worth noting. To me, it was a powerful statement of gender inequity and male dominance in the workplace. How could one plate mean nothing and everything at the same time?

In the ensuing two decades the workplace has changed dramatically. It is unlikely that "the plate" incident would occur again, or if it did, it is unlikely that it would mean today what it meant to me at the time. The business world has changed.

However, people in the workplace still bring their whole selves into the work environment and act and react with their own personal foundation. Every day someone still does not understand why someone else is upset or does not react as expected.

Every day people in business have different and confusing reactions to the same information. Every day both men and women struggle to work together, to make a living, and to have some fun in the process.

This column, Women in Business, is written to help young women work solutions to problems in the workplace. I am a woman who has achieved success in the business world. I benefited from the risks other women took, and other women have benefited from the risks I took. I have learned a great deal in the journey. Let me help you, the new generation of women in business.

Send me a question, describe a problem, ask for advice or insight. I will address your concerns in this column, Women in Business, every week. I promise confidentiality, and I will never use names or e-mail addresses associated with questions or requests that are published or discussed. If you need a private response by e-mail I will do my best to give you one if you ask.

What did I do about "the plate?" Well, remember this was a long time ago and I had three small children to feed.

I did absolutely nothing. I took all the work out from under the plate and left the plate in the box. The next day the work was again under the plate. I did the same thing. I never mentioned it, nor did the man. Finally, as we were discussing some business he casually said, "Oh, I put that plate there for you to take to the kitchen." I looked at him and said "Yes, I know." Neither of us said another word about the plate.

The next day it was gone.

Copyright © 1998, 1999 by D.E. Summerville. All rights reserved.: WIB@blacksunimages.com

The advice and suggestions in the Women in Business column are solely those of the author. DC Web Women assumes no responsibility for its content.

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