CNN.com - Research warns of 'macho' MBAs

Some MBAs are accused of being too male-focused

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FT's Executive MBA Rankings
1. Wharton, U.S.
2. Hong Kong UST, China
3. London Business School, UK
4. Instituto de Empresa, Spain
5. Fuqua, Duke, U.S.
6. Chicago GSB, U.S.
7. Columbia, U.S.
8. Kellogg, U.S.
9. Stern, NY, U.S.
10. Cass, City University, UK
Source: Financial Times 2006

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EMBA SNAPSHOT

Executives taking the top EMBA courses in the U.S., Europe and Asia have average salaries of around $130,000 to $200,000.

A typical EMBA student is likely to be aged in the early 30s, with 6-10 years of working experience.

A top EMBA course can cost $100,000. Customized courses start at a few thousand dollars.

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(CNN) -- Among thrusting would-be executives, aggression is seen as good. Unfortunately, academics say, this "macho" culture -- and the way some MBAs reinforce it -- is out of touch with the modern workplace.

Researchers from the Brunel University Business School, one of Britain's leading MBA institutions, called in their report for the qualification to be "feminized," teaching future business leaders the value of personal relations and negotiation as well as just hard-nosed control.

An analysis of MBA courses led researchers to conclude that so-called "harder'" analytical skills are often prioritized to the detriment of talents often associated with women, in particular the likes of listening, trust building skills and adaptability.

These are crucial to making a successful manager, but all too often neglected in MBA course content.

More and more women worldwide are taking MBA and EMBA courses, aware that their are increasingly seen as a prerequisite for senior management posts, not to mention a way for female managers to break through the "glass ceiling" seen as limiting their careers.

But according to the Brunel academics, many women taking MBAs end up not liking what they see, complaining they tacitly encourage a course culture that ends up being macho, sexist and overly-competitive.

'Mighty Big Attitude'

MBA should instead stand for Mighty Big Attitude, given the aggressive and overconfident attitudes seen in class, one female MBA aspirant noted.

As well as providing a poor atmosphere, an MBA culture based largely around power and control risks turning out individualistic manager out of step with the modern workplace, where managing relationships is often the key to success.

"MBA programmers need to provide opportunities for developing emotional intelligence and building better team working, communication and leadership skills as well as opportunities to learn to let go of unhelpful attitudes and behaviors such as the need, even in class based group work, to direct and control," says Ruth Simpson from Brunel's Business School.

"In today's diverse workplace, the 'hard' skills, which have served managers well in the past, must be added to a greater focus on 'softer', perhaps more feminine skills."

Some MBA courses are already moving in this direction, the academics say, but others need to catch up if the qualification is to remain a benchmark of approval for aspiring top executives.

Simpson says: "You could argue that the value of the MBA may be greater for women as they gain the necessary credibility to be a successful manager in what can still be seen as a man's world and as they overcome lack of confidence in their abilities.

"However, with a steadily increasing female workforce, it is time to prepare managers for the 'real world'."

Research warns of 'macho' MBAs

Students need to learn feminine skills, say academics

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'Mighty Big Attitude'