It's a general belief that managers should be honest and transparent in order to be effective, but the thing is, women in positions of power need to keep their real thoughts and emotions to themselves in order to keep the corporate gears turning.

In a doctoral study featured on ScienceDaily.com, psychologist Chiara Amati from Edinburgh Napier University explains that most managers often need to "manufacture" positivity. "Faking it seems, to a degree, (is) part of good people management."

Her findings were based on interviews with 12 managers and surveys with 30. To be able to successfully create a conducive work environment, people sitting on higher rungs of the corporate ladder apparently find the need to continuously monitor how they speak and act in public, and this seems to happen more with women.

Chiara continues, "Female managers need to deal with contrasting workplace stereotypes; on the one hand they are expected to be warm and nurturing, not angry or aggressive; on the other, displays of emotion, such as crying, are often seen as openly manipulative."

This often pushes career women to wear different masks or hats every time they step in the office, and for those who are already influential, even out of it.

But this doesn't mean that most higher-ups aren't sincere; in reality, the situation is the same for most people who work under them. A certain degree of professionalism is required among employees, and more so for bosses. What is important to remember is that work is work; the play--and the emotions--may sometimes have to come in later.

(Photo by Victor1558 via Flickr Creative Commons)