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Alpha Females

Helping women make the most of their leadership qualities.

Career
Are You Asking to Be Paid What You Are Worth?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on December 30, 2013

As soon as I had a few minutes to inquire about a higher salary, the government employee I spoke to laughed at me, saying: “Doctors are rich people, I know you will be fine till you get your first paycheck.” I was speechless. My husband and I were young doctors with two young children and we were living paycheck-to-paycheck while working hard.

As soon as I had a few minutes to inquire about a higher salary, the government employee I spoke to laughed at me, saying: “Doctors are rich people, I know you will be fine till you get your first paycheck.” I was speechless. My husband and I were young doctors with two young children and we were living paycheck-to-paycheck while working hard.

Leadership
The Alpha Female Dilemma

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on November 20, 2013

The Alpha Female Dilemma and Balancing Looks and Smarts

The Alpha Female Dilemma and Balancing Looks and Smarts

Assertiveness
Alpha Females and Balanced Communications

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on November 18, 2013

The ability to confront or attack is a key leadership quality among many. While male leaders would be called aggressive only when they are about to strike someone in the face, female leaders are called aggressive when they are assertive: clear, direct, and no-nonsense.

The ability to confront or attack is a key leadership quality among many. While male leaders would be called aggressive only when they are about to strike someone in the face, female leaders are called aggressive when they are assertive: clear, direct, and no-nonsense.

Personality
Alpha Female

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on November 14, 2013

Alpha Female: How do they gain or lose power at work?

Alpha Female: How do they gain or lose power at work?

Fear
Survival Tips for Women and Men

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on October 15, 2012

Dealing with mean girls who became mean women at work.

Dealing with mean girls who became mean women at work.

Career
Perform and Get the Best Results to Advance in Your Career

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on May 4, 2012

Jack Welch got himself into hot water when he recently presented to a group of executive women. He said everybody should advance based on their performance and results. This statement raised eyebrows and animosity in the female audience: How about unconscious bias, many asked.

Jack Welch got himself into hot water when he recently presented to a group of executive women. He said everybody should advance based on their performance and results. This statement raised eyebrows and animosity in the female audience: How about unconscious bias, many asked.

Forgiveness
"Who, Me? I'm Not a Misogynist"

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on March 15, 2012

In essence, Limbaugh, despite his poor choice of words, was at least attempting to stay within the realm of the discussion that was present. Maher can't get away with rationalizations that the "Brits use this word for either gender," since after all, his show focuses on Americans. Nice try.

In essence, Limbaugh, despite his poor choice of words, was at least attempting to stay within the realm of the discussion that was present. Maher can't get away with rationalizations that the "Brits use this word for either gender," since after all, his show focuses on Americans. Nice try.

Forgiveness
The Seductive Trap of Demagogy

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on March 4, 2012

While it is easy to point at Limbaugh and call his offense what it is, we tend to like a nice guy saying pleasant words to make us feel good or better, particularly if we feel mistreated or wronged in some way. The President’s apology to this woman also makes other women feel good too, because women identify with Fluke and wished for an apology as well.

While it is easy to point at Limbaugh and call his offense what it is, we tend to like a nice guy saying pleasant words to make us feel good or better, particularly if we feel mistreated or wronged in some way. The President’s apology to this woman also makes other women feel good too, because women identify with Fluke and wished for an apology as well.

Career
On Misogyny, Demagogy, and Personal Responsibility

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on March 3, 2012

This week, Rush Limbaugh called a law student a slut for asking for health care birth control coverage in Congress. It was typical Middle Ages’ Inquisition misogyny. President Obama’s “rescue” of the law student was also Middle Ages’ chivalry: saving the defenseless demoiselle in distress was pure demagogy.

This week, Rush Limbaugh called a law student a slut for asking for health care birth control coverage in Congress. It was typical Middle Ages’ Inquisition misogyny. President Obama’s “rescue” of the law student was also Middle Ages’ chivalry: saving the defenseless demoiselle in distress was pure demagogy.

Guilt
Do Women Leaders Experience More Guilt Than Their Male Counterparts?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on February 29, 2012

Many successful women experience a profound sense of guilt when conflicted about choosing career over family, and the women who experience this are unhappy with their situation.

Many successful women experience a profound sense of guilt when conflicted about choosing career over family, and the women who experience this are unhappy with their situation.

Intelligence
Ten Men and Half a Woman: Is Your Intelligence Underestimated?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on February 21, 2012

I've been active in several groups, associations, and boards for a couple of decades now and one of the interesting ongoing conversations is bringing diversity into the groups. Yes, there is data to support that boards benefit from diversity. And there's also data to support that they don't.

I've been active in several groups, associations, and boards for a couple of decades now and one of the interesting ongoing conversations is bringing diversity into the groups. Yes, there is data to support that boards benefit from diversity. And there's also data to support that they don't.

Stress
Are Alpha Females Healthier Than Their Counterparts?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on September 14, 2011

Alpha females have intrinsic characteristics—aside from being competitive, controlling, and more aggressive, they are also born healthier, more energetic, and more resilient.

Sure, alphas can get themselves into more stressful situations by virtue of being more dominant and on the front lines at all times...

Alpha females have intrinsic characteristics—aside from being competitive, controlling, and more aggressive, they are also born healthier, more energetic, and more resilient.

Sure, alphas can get themselves into more stressful situations by virtue of being more dominant and on the front lines at all times...

Identity
Disregard the Stats - Make a Higher Salary Your Reality

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on March 2, 2011

Should we listen to stats that pound away at our self-image, explaining why women make less than men? We can look at the numbers and attribute our lesser pay to this well-established paradigm: women are paid less than men, period. Is this your reality? It’s not mine.

Should we listen to stats that pound away at our self-image, explaining why women make less than men? We can look at the numbers and attribute our lesser pay to this well-established paradigm: women are paid less than men, period. Is this your reality? It’s not mine.

Personality
Are powerful men horny?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on December 16, 2009

As Woods is voted best athlete of the decade by Associated Press, his marriage to his wife of five years may be exhaling its last breaths.

As Woods is voted best athlete of the decade by Associated Press, his marriage to his wife of five years may be exhaling its last breaths.

Media
Are you an invisible leader?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on October 12, 2009

Hillary Clinton was labeled marginalized in this article. She said this was absurd. Instead, she says she doesn't need to be seen as "the person" who's doing it all, that she favors delegating work and that she doesn't need to show off.

Hillary Clinton was labeled marginalized in this article. She said this was absurd. Instead, she says she doesn't need to be seen as "the person" who's doing it all, that she favors delegating work and that she doesn't need to show off.

Personality
Are you a smart woman at work?

Gabriela Cora M.D., M.B.A. on August 31, 2009

 Are you a smart woman at work or would you prefer to marry for money?

 Are you a smart woman at work or would you prefer to marry for money?