Eliza Hartley
There’s a fine line between admiration and intimidation, especially when it comes to successful women.
Some men find themselves inspired by these powerhouse ladies, while others may feel, well, a bit threatened.
It’s not always easy to tell, but there are some subtle signs that can give away a man who feels unsettled by a woman’s success.
In this article, we’re going to look at seven of these behaviours.
Remember: It’s not about pointing fingers or making anyone feel bad.
It’s about understanding these dynamics better and fostering healthier relationships.
Let’s dive in to these tell-tale signs—buckle up!
1) Overcompensation
We’ve all seen it: A man in the presence of a successful woman suddenly starts to puff out his chest and talk louder.
He’s making sure his presence is felt in the room.
Welcome to the realm of overcompensation, where it can manifest itself in many ways.
Some men may try to belittle women’s achievements, while others might attempt to assert dominance in unrelated areas.
This is about understanding a dynamic that can cause tension and discomfort.
It’s not about the loudness of one’s voice or the size of one’s muscles, but the strength of one’s character that truly defines success.
When we understand this, we can foster healthier, more equal relationships.
That’s step one towards positive change—and it starts with awareness.
2) Frequent competition
There was this guy I knew, let’s call him Joe.
He was a good friend, but he had a peculiar habit: Whenever he met a woman who was successful, he would suddenly become competitive.
It didn’t matter if the woman was a CEO, an artist or an athlete as Joe would find a way to challenge them, turning casual conversations into contests.
Thinking back, it was clear he felt threatened.
He needed to prove that he was just as good, if not better.
The sad part? Joe wasn’t a bad guy.
He was just insecure in his own achievements and struggled to see the success of women as something to celebrate, not compete against.
So, gents, if you find yourself turning everything into a competition when you’re around successful women, it might be time to take a step back and reflect on why that is.
Life isn’t a race against others but a journey to improve ourselves.
3) Passive-aggressive behavior
Have you ever noticed how some men subtly shift their behavior around successful women?
It’s not always overt, and it can be as simple as a sarcastic comment or a dismissive gesture.
Research indicates that men who feel threatened by successful women might resort to aggressive or passive-aggressive behavior.
This can include giving backhanded compliments, making veiled criticisms, or subtly undermining the woman’s achievements.
The key is, it’s all done under the guise of humor or light-heartedness, making it hard to call out.
However, rue strength lies in lifting others up, not bringing them down.
The next time you see this behavior, know what it signifies and choose to rise above it.
4) Neglecting their achievements
Ever noticed how some men seem to downplay or outright ignore the accomplishments of successful women? This is a subtle sign that they may feel threatened.
It’s not always intentional, and sometimes they might not even realize they’re doing it but the impact can be quite harmful, creating a sense of invisibility around the woman’s success.
Whether it’s not acknowledging a promotion, a new skill, or even a simple win at a friendly game, this behavior can be detrimental to healthy relationships.
Celebrating others’ success doesn’t diminish our own.
In fact, it can inspire us to reach greater heights.
Let’s aim for a mindset of abundance and mutual respect, where everyone’s achievements are celebrated.
5) Diminishing their own worth
My brother spent a lot of his life grappling with self-confidence.
In his younger years, whenever he was around successful women, he’d find himself downplaying his own achievements.
It was as if their success made his’ seem insignificant.
In hindsight, I see that he was feeling threatened.
Their success had sparked a sense of insecurity within him, causing him to diminish his own worth.
We each have our unique paths and strengths, and comparing ourselves to others only feeds into feelings of inadequacy.
Success isn’t a zero-sum game—there’s enough room for everyone to shine.
6) Defensive body language
Body language can reveal a lot about how someone is feeling.
Men who feel threatened by successful women might unconsciously exhibit defensive body language.
This could include crossing arms, avoiding eye contact, or physically distancing themselves from the woman.
It’s a subtle reaction, but it can speak volumes about their comfort level.
Body language can be a powerful tool in understanding our own feelings and those of others.
7) Resistance to change
The most critical thing to understand about men who feel threatened by successful women is their resistance to change.
It’s a fear of the unknown, a discomfort with shifting power dynamics.
They might resist accepting new ideas proposed by the woman, or they might be slow to acknowledge her position of authority.
It’s a subtle sign, but it’s a telling one.
Change is inevitable, and the more we resist it, the more we limit our own growth.
Embracing change, especially when it involves accepting powerful women, is a step towards personal growth and societal progress.
Final thoughts: An invitation to empathy
At the heart of these subtle behaviors is a complex tapestry of societal expectations, personal insecurities, and ingrained stereotypes.
It’s important to remember that no one is born feeling threatened by another’s success.
These responses are learned and can, therefore, be unlearned.
By understanding these behaviors, we’re not just helping ourselves navigate tricky interpersonal dynamics.
We’re contributing to a broader dialogue about gender, power, and success.
The next time you notice these behaviors—in others or yourself—see it as an opportunity.
An opportunity to engage in introspection, foster understanding, and encourage growth.
At the end of the day, our reactions to power and success say more about us than they do about the people who hold them.
Understanding this is the first step towards creating a world where success isn’t seen as a threat but as an inspiration for everyone, regardless of gender.
