Lots of laughs and good to keep the contribution of women to the fore - still a long way to go.

Wow, Jim. Lighten up mate. You can keep on over-analysing the debate topic and waving the flag for Germaine Greer... the rest of us will be having a few laughs, enjoying ourselves with a glass of wine at Darling Harbour on the 27th of August!

I find it strange that in this period of women actually being able to break some ceilings and receive the recognition they deserve, there is still this silly attempt to make funny something that is important. Nice girls, bad girls: isn't this all just more boxing women into some sort of category? Something they have fought so hard to stop?
I am afraid that as far as I see it, this sort of stuff does nothing to further or enhance women being viewed as professional or to be taken seriously in the workplace. Good behaviour and ethics should never be joked about. Too many women have had to make do for so long for the newer breeds of women who have not understood or taken part in the struggle for equality.
Fun maybe: tacky and demeaning - totally!

THE SYDNEY EVENT HAS CHANGED VENUES DUE TO HIGH DEMAND. Now being held at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

Extra tickets now available.

Go to the registration page to book your seat or corporate table!

Bummer, would've LOVED to have seen this debate, as I class myself as a nice girl - who does tend to get walked on at times. Will have to be an early bird for the next one!!

It was a fun, entertaining presentation that gave opportunity to network and catch up with old colleagues

It was a very enjoyable event, overall a great event

And now begins the typical media/opposition witch-hunt, questioning Julia's lack of husband & 2.5 kids.

I really can’t believe some of these comments above, some fairly significant issues going on there.
Especially the name calling and comments on lack of education of woman who will not put their name against their opinions.
Of course woman can succeed with having ethics and being a level 5 leader.
There is a difference though with being nice and being a doormat.
See the influence strategies taught by Anthony Mclean and New Intelligence at one of the webinars last week.
Can't wait to see the debate.

I wore big shoulder pads in the 80's and have been known to wear red stiletto shoes. I am successful in both my life and my career, first, at the top........and nice! Go me!

From my experience, the only time I have seen women feel the need to be nasty to succeed is it to compete in an unfair environment. It can be either against women or against men. This isn't any different for men who feel helpless, except they're more likely to buddy up to their peers, but not always.

Unfortunately there are still workplaces that do not value a woman's expertise more highly than simply being a man. Or maybe there are bitches who are dimming another woman's sparkle?

Oh please, it's my understanding that it's the bitchy girls that are the uneducated, dumb women who haven't been to uni but somehow find themselves in a position of power by either sleeping their way to the top, which still happens, or by networking to get to the top. Either way, i'm surrounded by them in the company I work for which would explain why it's a slug of an organisation, and I'm done with them.
It's the educated women that need to get ahead and stay there. It's the bitchy ones that need to be stepped down.

Depends how you define 'nice' and how you define finishing 'first'. If first is : Chairman, CEO, $$$$$$$$, no matter what, then 'nice girls' and boys will probably not get there.

But if first is - income, level/ position, influence, respect, self respect, life balance, relationships, health, physical and spiritual needs fulfilled etc then good people will alway win.

I don't like the photo either ; more a dinner with a hot date, than a professional, look. A man sitting/ looking like that would also not be taken too seriously.

According to the etymology dictionary 'NICE' means, foolish, stupid and senseless - so I guess yes 'NICE" girls would finish nice. HOWEVER, for me I like to think that it also stands for integrity, honesty and human kindness. If an organisation doesn't value those traits then maybe its the organisation that should finish last!

Louise Carter
Executive Director
Performance Partnership
www.performancepartnership.com.au

Having learnt the secrets of 'nice' and holding that position gives me the results I want - it will be interesting to see what the other side suggest we do differently?

Sean - you're insulting Chimps there - what did they ever do...?

Why are women made to feel second class and unimportant when out numbered in meetings by the men?

I think there's a diiference between being assertive and being a b*tch, to get ahead you have to be sure of yourself and willing to voice your opinion but you shouldn't have to do it without class and by alienating people on the way.

Nice managers finish second or worse, but move to first when well wishing staff slip hemlock into the tyrant's chai latte. :)

Oh come on Kate and Anon - I think it's mean to be a light hearted look at a very real problem. I suspect you find it offensive because you haven't got ahead.

Some people find it deeply offensive that the only way to get on in business is to be unethical. Also they think the promotional photograph is particularly offensive.

Mean and manipulative people are a put off at the workplace, be it men or women. Forseeing opportunities and developing win-win solutions are the ways to get about and ahead.

I find it very sad that there are still women who feel compelled to 'compete' in this manner. Whatever happened to self-respect and dignity or are these now really old fashioned values?

And it is interesting that it is a popular choice to bully other women to get ahead rather than rely on skills and experience. Not nice girls!

Time for fair treatment and more power to women. We've been bullied long enough.

Does anyone watch "Survivor"? "Heroes vs Villains" and the villains are winning by a big margin. I think sometimes you need to play dirty if you want to come in first.

I don't think women need to fit into the categories of "Mean Girl" or "Nice Girl". Make your own category. I like the sound of "Super Girl". Super Girl wouldn't need to bully anyone.. But she wouldn't get walked on either.

Most of the ‘mean girls’ are generally nice girls but are sometimes required to be less pleasant or aggressive to achieve their goals…

I've tried so hard to bring out my inner-mean-girl but just can't backstab my girlfriends at work. I guess it just comes naturally to some of us.

I am very much looking forward to this debate finally coming to Sydney.