In the Company of Women. - book review

AORN Journal,  April, 2003  by Rebecca J. Davis

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By Pat Heim and Susan Murphy 2001, 224pp $24.95 hardback

This book is a well-written guide to "turning workplace conflict into powerful alliances." The authors begin by defining and describing how and why women behave as they do. They proceed to teach readers how to use positive methods to build good relationships with female colleagues. The lessons in the text compare and contrast the differences between dealing with men and women. After readers begin to identify interactions as they relate to relationships, power, and self-esteem and learn how to use the power dead-even rule, they can begin to understand the intricacies of working with women on a professional level.

I found myself fluctuating between glimpses of insight and dubious thoughts when sifting through the complex information presented in this book. The chapters "The origins of woman-to-woman conflict" and "Lessons from childhood" help explain the dynamics of an environment in which one must interact successfully with female colleagues. The explanation of indirect aggression within the context of survival and social acceptability supports the notion that one must understand the motivation behind behaviors to build successful relationships.

The book explains the pitfalls that certain developments in the workplace can create. Situations such as promotions, achievements, and friendships often create conflicts that must be addressed. Learning to manage these situations is crucial. Dealing with conflict, developing skills to become an effective female leader, and understanding various paradoxes that affect overall effectiveness will ensure success. After these techniques are mastered, one can build successful relationships and teams in the work environment.

This book is extremely helpful in developing self-awareness and skills for working with women. Regardless of whether the reader agrees with the premise that working successfully with women requires a different set of rules and practices, one cannot help but learn useful techniques based on an understanding of the unique dynamic that exists when women work together.

The information and suggestions are supported by extensive examples and self-defining quizzes. This is a book that one would want to refer to frequently as one strives to understand motivations and learn ways of developing effective working relationships. Also helpful are the suggested books on self-esteem found at the end of the text. I found this book to be very interesting and helpful in gaining insight into this area of organizational effectiveness, and I highly recommend it.

This book is available from Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, 375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014; http://www.penguinputnam.com.

REBECCA J. DAVIS
RN, MN, CNOR
CHARGE NURSE, CARDIOVASCULAR OR
HEART PROGRAM
PROVIDENCE ST PETER HOSPITAL
OLYMPIA, WASH

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group