I'm a female engineer that moved into management early in my career. In order to survive working in such a male dominated world I had to become one of the guys as best I could. I wear conservative business suits, learn as much as I can about football and basketball, and never say no to a lunch, diner or beers after work.
It suited my career well and I moved up the corporate ladder nicely. As a successful alpha female I convinced my husband to be the stay at home parent and work very little in order to support my career.
So when I took a new job to further my career as director of engineering at a large company, I was fully prepared for the fact that I was the only woman in a 6 person management team.
I was quickly "one of the guys." Lunch twice a week, Monday night football with the team, beers and wine whenever I had one pushed in front of me.
A few months into the job during a long lunch away from the office my boss suggested I should stop dressing so frumpy. Maybe some skirts instead of the boring suit pants.
I realized no one was making a sound at the table. All eyes were on me as he made this seemingly casual statement, and they were awaiting my reaction. Now there was two directions I could go -- as a strong independent modern woman who wouldn't stand for this obvious sexism.....or I could respond like one of the guys.