Tips for Better Communication Between Men and Women in the Workplace
Workplaces are always tricky to navigate, even more so because
of sensitivities that should be common sense, but aren't
always.
Typical Complaints Women Have About Men
-
Addressing women as "girls," "gals," "honey," "babyyoung,"
"lady," "darlin'"
-
A lot of women don't want to be called "ladies" at
work
-
Making women into objects... "I have a car, a boat, a dog,
and a wife."
-
Using expressions that only use sports, violence or sexual
connotations... "We murdered the competition" or
"More bang for the buck"
-
Making decisions about work with each other and not
including women. Then telling women, "Last night we got
together and decided..."
Typical Complaints Men Have About Women
-
Not getting down to business soon enough
-
Taking things too seriously
-
Trying to be "one of the boys" (Using profanity, telling
sexist jokes, etc.)
Gender Communication Tip Sheet
|
Women
|
|
Men
|
|
Share experiences to show commonality
|
|
Focus on statistics
|
|
Build off of each others discussion points
|
|
Relate by sharing stories to one up each other
|
|
Strategy: Women, get to bottom line quickly and
succinctly. Men, understand that when women tell a
story, they are building common ground with you.
|
|
Want to talk about the problem and solve it
collaboratively
|
|
Move to solutions and problem solving right away
|
|
Emphasis on feelings and communications
|
|
Value placed on ability to achieve results
|
|
Processing is a way to include others and build
relationships.
|
|
|
|
Strategy: Women, don't try to get men to talk if
they're not ready. Observe and listen rather than
process out loud. Men, understand that processing is
a way for women to include others and build
relationships.
|
|
Offer help and advice as a sign of caring
|
|
To ask for help reflects an inability to achieve on
one's own merit.
|
|
Strategy: Women, understand that offering help
may be inferred as a lack of trust in another's
ability. Don't be so quick to offer advice. Men, ask
what you can do to help. It may be an opportunity to
show support and caring.
|
|
|
Strengths Associated with Women at Work
Harmony Balance Nurturance, serenity, creativity and
vision
Teamwork and collaboration
Detail oriented
Strengths Associated with Men at Work
Goal orientation
Tangible accomplishments
Problem solving
Singleness of purpose
Responsiveness to challenge
About the Author: Simma Lieberman works with
people and organizations to create environments where
people can do their best work. She specializes in
diversity, gender communications, life-work balance
and stress, and acquiring and retaining new
customers.
|
|
More Related Articles
Bad Credit, Now What?
We all know that our personal credit history affects our
ability to secure a home loan or open an account at a
department store. But most Americans are unaware that bad
credit could cost them a job.
What Every Consultant Needs to Know About Diversity Consulting and Training
What is a diversity consultant and why are companies hiring
them?
Experience Readers Say Workplace Diversity is About Many Kinds of Difference
Our January '08 survey on Diversity in the Workplace elicited a
lot of comments from readers.
Google Web Search
Didn't see what you were looking for?
powered by Google
|
