Comments on: Are Women Better Community Managers http://conniebensen.com/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/ Community Strategist Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:24:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: mjcarter http://conniebensen.com/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/comment-page-1/#comment-1724 mjcarter Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:38:27 +0000 http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/#comment-1724 Great topic Connie! It seems that women would be better community managers; by definition a community manager needs to encourage open communication, nurture relationships and respond to community inquiries and problems thoughtfully (and constructively). The "traditional" role of men as leaders in business doesn't exactly fit those criteria--my thoughts are women are just naturally better at the role! Great topic Connie!

It seems that women would be better community managers; by definition a community manager needs to encourage open communication, nurture relationships and respond to community inquiries and problems thoughtfully (and constructively).

The “traditional” role of men as leaders in business doesn’t exactly fit those criteria–my thoughts are women are just naturally better at the role!

]]> By: Connie Bensen http://conniebensen.com/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/comment-page-1/#comment-1638 Connie Bensen Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:30:20 +0000 http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/#comment-1638 Valerie & Laura, You both bring up very valid points. I like Laura's commentary on the fact that it has been men that have been leading the way for the Comm Mgr role. Although I don't think that's necessarily true. I can think of a number of women who have been evangelizing it for years (esp in the open source space). And Valerie, I realized that my daughter has been incredibly influenced by her dad because he was home with her a lot. It's great to see some new readers commenting! Thank you! Valerie & Laura, You both bring up very valid points.
I like Laura’s commentary on the fact that it has been men that have been leading the way for the Comm Mgr role. Although I don’t think that’s necessarily true. I can think of a number of women who have been evangelizing it for years (esp in the open source space).

And Valerie, I realized that my daughter has been incredibly influenced by her dad because he was home with her a lot.

It’s great to see some new readers commenting! Thank you!

]]> By: Laura Lee Dooley http://conniebensen.com/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/comment-page-1/#comment-1637 Laura Lee Dooley Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:43:32 +0000 http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/#comment-1637 I think it depends upon the community managed. Successful community managers reflect an interest, passion and ability to connect with their community members within a specific niche. Guys like Chris Brogan and Jeremiah Owyang are great community managers in their market. Move them to another market and they may do well initially (because they transfer the basic best practices of community management), but they may not be able to sustain the community because the market is not a match to their interests and passions. I note how interesting it is that the "Blogs I Read" section here is male-dominated, probably reflecting the current market. I think it depends upon the community managed. Successful community managers reflect an interest, passion and ability to connect with their community members within a specific niche.

Guys like Chris Brogan and Jeremiah Owyang are great community managers in their market. Move them to another market and they may do well initially (because they transfer the basic best practices of community management), but they may not be able to sustain the community because the market is not a match to their interests and passions.

I note how interesting it is that the “Blogs I Read” section here is male-dominated, probably reflecting the current market.

]]> By: ValerieSprague http://conniebensen.com/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/comment-page-1/#comment-1636 ValerieSprague Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:39:00 +0000 http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/08/28/are-women-better-community-managers/#comment-1636 I've worked in community management for many years with LiveWorld, and I think it's very difficult to generalize about "gender skill sets". After all, I work with tons of very talented female engineers and that's a male-dominated field - and I've worked with male clients (and moderation managers) who have done an outstanding job responding to the needs of their community members. Before this, I worked in radio, and in the military - with mostly men. And I was raised by a nurturing stay-at-home-dad. So individual skill sets trump assumptions about which gender is better at which task, IMHO. I’ve worked in community management for many years with LiveWorld, and I think it’s very difficult to generalize about “gender skill sets”. After all, I work with tons of very talented female engineers and that’s a male-dominated field – and I’ve worked with male clients (and moderation managers) who have done an outstanding job responding to the needs of their community members.

Before this, I worked in radio, and in the military – with mostly men. And I was raised by a nurturing stay-at-home-dad. So individual skill sets trump assumptions about which gender is better at which task, IMHO.

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