Glass Ceiling

Glass Ceiling

Women hold just 9 per cent of executive positions in Australia - Candy Tymson

Gender Differences

It is commonly argued that female and males are very different with respect to their personal characteristics, such as motivational issues and experience. (Liebermale, 2002) Even when female and males have the same characteristics, there is still some difference with respect to their behaviour and the outcome of their activities.

Men recognize that what they say to a female is either heard or reacted to differently than expected. Men find themselves thinking carefully about how to approach an issue or how to speak, thereby removing rapport building from the relationship with a female. Because female are more relationship oriented, they tend to lead by consensus. Men tend to be more hierarchical and include only the people closest to them at their level in the decision making process. When females have to make a decision they will often process and look at options out loud while men tend to process internally until they come up with a solution. Females often think that the male is being unresponsive to suggestions because of this and men often think that females are looking for approval when they process out loud or that they don't know what they are doing. Some men think that a female's way of processing is a sign of weakness.

Communication Styles.

In non-verbal behaviour females will nod their head to show that they are listening. Men leave the conversation thinking that a head nod means agreement and will be surprised to find out that the female didn't agree at all. When a female is speaking to a male and he does not say anything and stays in a neutral body language to show that he is listening, a female will interpret that as the male being bored or not understanding what she is saying. (Valian, 2003, p. 113) This can lead to the female becoming very uncomfortable constantly repeating what she is saying or ask the male each time if he understands. The male interprets this as insecurity. This then leads him to think she is not assertive or confident enough to be a leader. Females will use more direct eye contact in conversation to create relationship and connection while males take that as a challenge to their power or position.