by Caroline | Jun 3, 2015 | bottom line value of gender diversity, gender inclusive, Inclusive culture, Inclusive leadership, Leadership, Masculine Feminine Difference, unconcscious bias, unconscious mind sets, value of difference |
A colleague suggested that we might attract more people, particularly men, to our cause if we emphasize, not gender diversity, but the business benefits of gender inclusion. Another author and facilitator reminded me that we get better results by focusing on what we want rather than on the “problem” we are trying to solve. Help me apply these two insights. If we invite people to a workshop about organizational culture and results, do we indicate up front, or once they are in the room, that the drivers we focus on are inclusive leadership and gender diversity? I want to focus on the desired outcome (businesses that thrive because of gender diversity) and not the “problem” (unconscious gender bias). How do we effectively address unconscious bias?
by Caroline | Jan 15, 2014 | gender communication, Gender difference, Men and women at work, women and business development, women and confidence, women and sales, workshops gender differences |
In my book and blogs, I explore differences in masculine and feminine approaches to work — e.g., the value of relationships, structure, decision-making, work style and communication style. There are strengths and limitations to the feminine approach. One limitation is in selling products, services and one’s self. The feminine approach avoids the hard sell and tooting one’s own horn. I teach this difference. Yet I am personally hampered by the feminine approach to self-promotion. I have hired a coach to help me LEARN to toot my own horn and be more effective at having others see the value of what I offer.
by Caroline | Oct 30, 2013 | authenticiy, better decisions, Engagement, leveraging differences, Masculine Feminine Difference |
At Halloween we enjoy putting on costumes and masks. At work, we sometimes assume roles. Doing so can have two opposite effects. It can undermine engagement — or promote effectiveness. The natural tendency to adapt in order to “fit in” can undermine engagement if we do it unconsciously and lose authenticity. But we can consciously shift our approach (e.g., from feminine to masculine) in order to be more effective Shifting in the latter way is no more inauthentic than speaking a foreign language in order to be understood,.
by Caroline | Jul 16, 2013 | appreciating difference, Balance of masculine feminine, better decisions, Difference, Effectiveness, Gender difference, gender stereotypes, Inclusive leadership, leveraging differences, Masculine Feminine Difference, obstacles to gender diversity, strengths of feminine approaches, strengths of masculine approaches |
If feminine ways of making decisions are “Fran,” and the masculine approach to decision-making is “Max,” we are all “Frax.” We are “Frax-wise” when we can use and appreciate both approaches. In the area of decision-making, Max’s approach (the masculine)) is to focus on the goal and approach it in a logical, linear and efficient way. Fran focuses also on the process, gathers ideas, involves others and synthesizes input. Both ways are valuable in different circumstances. Frax-wise people know when to use which; they appreciate someone whose approach is different from their own and know the value of having both on a team. Frax-wise leaders know this difference can create obstacles and work to lower those obstacles.
by Caroline | Jun 4, 2013 | Business Case, Business Results, Difference, Gender Balance, Gender difference, Gender diversity, gender stereotypes, gender stereotypes, Masculine Feminine Difference, Stereotypes, strengths of feminine approaches, strengths of masculine approaches |
In my quest for gender diversity in leadership, I use the concepts “masculine” and “feminine.” And I use prototypes of each. My point is to avoid stereotyping men and women. I use a common understanding of these concepts to help people see the strengths of both AND to see that both men and women have both. Using different terminology would not make my point as clearly.
