The latest event in the Strathclyde Dialogues series in the UAE focused on the question, "Leading the 21st Century: Is the Male Manager an Anachronism?"
The evening event took place on February 6 in Abu Dhabi and the speakers were: Mr Abraham Thomas, Finance Manager, Protech; Ms Aseel Hamoodi, Vice president, ADCO; Mr Juan Antonio Montes, Senior Advisor, ADCO; Ms Sarah Hunter, Ex CEO, Go Holidays Ltd; and Ms Sujatha Parthasarathy, Vice President – HR, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, while Ron Bradfield, Director, Strathclyde Business School, UAE, acted as moderator.
Ms Hamoodi spoke of the importance of the idea of balance across different dimensions being part of corporate policy rather than merely gender-based programmes. Mr Thomas thought that the traditional style of management where the male predominates both in style and actual numbers has to change and is indeed changing – he advised the audience to reflect on their own current situations and become more aware of the changing realities. Ms Parthasarathy said she had noted a trend towards more inclusion of women in the banking industry but said there had to be positive interventions and programmes to speed up this process.
Audience members had views and questions on various issues such as the glass ceilings that women face in the workplace, questions and suggestions on means to open up areas that are the traditional preserve of men, and the means by which work-life balance could be managed by women and men.
Mr Bradfield summarised the views of the panellists and suggested there was something for everyone to take home from the dialogue, concluding that the male manager as metaphor for antiquated, command-oriented, individualistic management style needs to be changed.