Many women managers have found that getting in touch with their masculine side is one way of getting to the top. But in future it may no longer be the best career option. In fact, in the long term it could hinder a breakthrough to the very top.

International Women’s Day will trigger the usual recital of statistics about the percentage of women corporate leaders. There will be less discussion of how top women performers got there and the management styles they adopted along the way.

Scrutiny of highly successful female managers indicates that many made it in a man’s world by embracing ‘managerial masculinity’ and showing they could be just as forceful and aggressive as their male counterparts. They have made their point. Women can be tough when they have to be.