The Big Debate…Women Versus Men in the Workplace
We’ve all heard the comments…..
1. “I’ll never work with a group of women again.”
2. “All women do is gossip about one another.”
3. “I don’t want to hire women because they’re always out when their kids are sick.”
4. “Let’s hire the guy because he’s the breadwinner.”
When you read these statements, do you agree? If you do, you may be missing out on the best talent for the job.
It’s proven that gossip, bullying and in-fighting happen just as often among male co-workers as it does among female co-workers. This behavior is often a result of the culture of the organization, not gender, and has a tendency to happen more in lower economic jobs.
For many years, I believed strongly there was little difference between males and females beyond physical abilities. I understood that a man of 200 lbs. could easily out lift what my 120 lbs. could but beyond that, we were equal. I now understand there are often other differences as well. For instance, women are at higher risk of suffering from depression, yet they are much more likely to reach out for help so are often better equipped at managing their symptoms.
This is true in the workplace as well. Women will ask for help much more often than men. If they don’t understand a system, a client’s need or the request of their manager they’re much more likely to ask for clarification, seek out what others understand about the situation, do research and find a way to make certain they know what the request is. Women are more likely to seek the approval of their manager and peers. When seeking a new position, women are more likely to consider the recognition and salary they will receive rather than perks like golf and country club memberships. And these days, males are just as likely as females to take time off for family situations.
Successful female leaders know when to ask for help, have a support network they can depend on, prioritize, are less likely to procrastinate, are willing to help others, and are great at making lists and plans. They’re used to prioritizing personal and work life along with the needs of others so are excellent at prioritizing projects at the office.
Utilizing job boards such as http://www.womensjoblist.com isn’t just for women, it’s for companies that want to reach the best talent available.
Sheri
