28 March 2008
Are women still better communicators?
Venusians: great at relationships, but bad a map reading.
Originally published in 2005, a Wall Street Journal article discussed male and female differences in a piece entitled “Men Do Numbers, Women Do Strategy”.
One MBA recruiter at the time said, “Women still aren't nearly as confident as their male classmates about their math and analytical skills.”
Are the stereotypes true?
- Men: forceful, assertive, analytical.
- Women: strong communicators, good at relationships, afraid of numbers.
Just 3 years on, it's unlikely the gender world has changed greatly. Although stereotypes bring most people out in a rash – “That’s not me!” – there could still be some useful pointers. Rather than think about “male” versus “female”, it might be better to consider the question of balance.
Too pushy and analytical? Then: be more modest. Collaborate and listen better to other points of view.
Bring more balance
- Too pushy and analytical? Then: be more modest. Collaborate and listen better to other points of view. Give others the credit for their accomplishments.
- Too quiet and nurturing? Then: “blow your own trumpet” and be more adventurous.
Some US MBA recruiters complained, “Men too often lack the interpersonal skills required for a team-oriented culture.” They also felt these students, “Are making a mistake by dismissing courses on communications and other so-called soft skills as fluff and focusing just on their technical skills."
Speaking about female graduates, Edith Hunt, managing director and global recruiting chief at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., said, "Relationship skills and the ability to work well across an organization, especially as globalization increases, will serve women well as they go forward."
Have your say
Do men really come from Mars after all? What’s your view on the gender divide – does it actually exist and are women really the best communicators?
Discuss these issues with other comms practitioners by joining the Internal Comms Hub members' group on the Communicators' Network.
Other recommendations:
A communicator's guide to Generation Y
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