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New York TimesColumnist Maya Salam wrote recently about the unintended consequences of the ‘Me Too’ movement, and the harm it could be doing to women in business.  Salam says she’s increasingly learning of men who refuse to have any contact with female colleagues for fear of being accused of inappropriate behavior.  

Since men still dominate leadership positions, they’re best positioned to open doors and help women navigate the complexities of organizational politics.  But if they’re afraid to meet one-on-one, women could be losing access to their largest pool of mentors and sponsors.  If you’re a man who carries this fear, assess it realistically and find a way to keep these critical career development pipelines open without fear of consequences.

I suggest mentors be mindful of three things:  that the goal is genuinely professional, the relationship is unquestionably positive, and the meeting venue is appropriate. 

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