I found the below article interesting with its comments by Nan Langowitz
http://www3.babson.edu/Academics/faculty/langowitz.cfm
on the sexism of characterizations of Miers as a brown-nose.
FYI
Charles
http://management-education.net
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From:
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/news/world/12974440.htm
EXCERPT:
Management professor Nan Langowitz, director of the Center for Women's Leadership at <st1:placename w:st="on">Babson</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">College</st1:placetype> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Wellesley</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Mass.</st1:state></st1:place>, takes exception to the characterization of Miers' communications with Bush as brown-nosing. She detects, as some others have in the vehement opposition to the Miers nomination, a whiff of sexism, or at least a well-entrenched double standard.
"You are seeing an example of where the professional woman is taking time to manage the relationship directly herself rather than delegating it to an assistant, but she's obviously not going to get credit for it, she's going to get slammed. I'd give her credit for writing the handwritten letter herself. Most professional men send those kinds of notes, but they often have their secretaries write them.
"Some leaders need a lot of stroking and demand it of their subordinates, and they quickly figure out that's the way to get ahead: 'Gee, you shot a great golf game. Gee, you're the greatest.' What's the difference? They are both examples of kissing up to the boss. But because she put hers on a puppy dog card as opposed to the bar after the golf game, hers is considered inappropriate."