A female speech trainer says women should blame themselves for not getting on at work because they use a language for losers.
Margit Hertlein, a speech trainer in Nuremberg, Germany, said women are too ready to compromise to avoid arguments because they want to be popular.
And she said women do not shout enough about themselves or their ideas.
Ms Hertlein said: "Men say exactly what they want, what they might demand in a work situation. They make a clear demand while women try to say things in a round-about way.
"Women's speech patterns are directed towards consensus and harmony, leaving many women unable to assert themselves in everyday work situations.
"Most women have good arguments and ideas in work, but they fail to push them through."
She claims one particular failing is that women tend to speak quieter and faster than men. During arguments women are often much faster than male colleagues to back down.
She said: "Women want to be liked. But men want just to be respected or even seen as winners."
But Ms Hertlein also says it is not usually a good idea for women to model themselves completely on men.
"It is important that women do not lose their own identities and simply take on a male speech pattern. It is vital to remember that some qualities which are considered typically female - such as team-building, people judgement and readiness to compromise, are also very desired and valued management qualities."