Miscommunication in the Workplace

So of course we all want to be treated equally.  We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  However, men and women are so completely different from each other, that we can never call ourselves equal.  But that does not mean that one gender should be treated lesser or greater than the other.  We all have value and something to contribute to society.

There is a great divide between us, but we can work together and make some changes!!!

  In the workplace, there is a definite distinction in communication styles from the women to the men.

Women:

• Women are more attentive, maintain steady eye contact, remains still and focused with a head nod here and there.
• Make frequent pauses to let other people have  chance to speak.
• Like to provide personal information in small talk,
• Looks at the details first before putting everything together.
• Minimal gestures, small and confined.
• Softer approach in speech, more indirect and hesitant, speaks in the "we" form.

 Men:

•  Men are less attentive, with sporadic eye movement, and move around more frequently.
• Take infrequent pauses, and interrupts each other more.
•  Does not provide personal information in small talk, keeps to general topics.
• Looks at the big picture.
• Big gestures.
• More assertive, take charge speech, clear and loud, and speaks in the "I" form.

With these differences, it is easy for coworkers of different genders to misunderstand each other.  Companies and organizations need to create effective communication and understanding in today's workplace as it has become so diverse over the last few decades.

Reference

Guffey, M.E., Rhodes, K., Rogin, P., (2011).  He Said, She Said: Gender Talk and Gender Tension.  Business Communication: Process and Product. (pp. 108).  Toronto, Nelson Education Ltd.