Gender Communication: A Comparative Analysis of Communicational Approaches of Men and Women at Workplaces

Globalization has resulted in multi-cultural and diverse workforces across the globe. Diversity in a workplace increases adaptability amongst employees; different talents of various individuals have become great resources, which also result in a pool of unique contributions. As a diverse genders and culture comes together, it provides a spectrum of viewpoints to meet objectives and accomplish goals. Thus diverse work force is an environment where people accept differences rather than deny them. If we pay attention to gender differences, we just might untangle the gender communications knots and get the job done faster and make working environment hassle free. Successful organizations need to create effective communication within a diverse workforce. In order to do so, it is necessary to focus on the gender differences in communication patterns. Overlooking the differences between the two gender roles can cause confusion and biases thus consequently having a negative impact on the overall organizational performance. However, gender issues arising from misunderstanding could be reduced within the organization by establishing equilibrium between men and women. The only way to have a healthy working atmosphere within an organization is to identify the differences and find ways to bridge the communication gulf between the sexes. Through two quizzes an attempt has been made in this work to explore different approaches followed by male and female associates to communicate in an organization. I. Introduction- Since last two to three decades there has been a growing discussion on gender based communication at workplace with more women entering managerial ranks a rapid increase in number of women in the workplace worldwide has presented a challenging situation for the communication cycle within the organization. Hence the communication between colleagues of opposite sexes becomes more significant for the success of the organization. Books such as Deborah Tannen's (1990) You Just Don't Understand: Men and Women in Conversation and (1994) Talking from 9 to 5, Marian Woodall's (1990) How to Talk so Men Will Listen, and John Gray's (1992) Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars have immensely contributed to the recognition of gender communication. Gender communication differences begin during childhood. Girls are told to use their manners, play quietly, and be ladylike. However it is okay for boys to use rough language, play loudly, and be rambunctious. Girls are allowed to show feelings. For example, if a small girl scrapes her knee and starts to cry, she is nurtured. If a boy has the same minor injury, he is told not to cry and be tough. Hence girls develop a relational style of interaction whereas boys develop a competitive style of interaction. While studying the contrasts between men and women in the workplace, one should not remember neither one gender's style is better than the other. Men are perfectly right to be more direct while women are perfectly right to be people-oriented, even in the workplace. "Women are nurturers, and this quality can enhance any work situation. Men are natural providers. They are task-oriented and like to get the job done. These two styles complement each other perfectly, as long as there is an openness and understanding on each part" .1 Talking to Nancy Clark Martha Barletta says, "When men communicate they're concerned with conveying information and establishing status. When women communicate they're concerned with conveying information and building connections…… When men are not successful, they tend to attribute it to external factors. The opposite is true for women. When women have a failure, they tend to attribute it to their own shortcomings. And when they succeed, they tend to link it to external factors, such as teamwork and luck…. Since men's gender culture is hierarchical, their main concern is ensuring that they get up the corporate ladder. So they express, and are expected to express, their accomplishments and their strengths. Women are in an egalitarian gender culture so they tend to downplay their own role in the success. Women see any attempt to put oneself up as disruptive to building connections". 2