Gender and Communication - How Men and Women Communicate Differently

Question 1 

Yes, gender differences exist in leadership styles in the workplace, and this has been proven by some research finding. According to Górska (2016), an Eagly’s research by Dr. Alice from the 1980s and 1990s ascertained that managerial positions’ women adopt democratic and participative leadership styles and act more as transformational leaders compared to men, who use more of transactional leadership style. The research further revealed that women tend to emphasize more on communication, cooperation, and affiliation than men. Besides, it has been identified that women are more relationship oriented while men are more task-oriented. 

Question 2 

Gender barriers exist in the workplace. According to Zimmerman (2016), women face a lot of barriers in the workplace because of their gender including inequality in pay where women earn far less than their male counterparts for the same jobs and positions. Second, women also face workplace harassment and discrimination. Third, is the miscommunication, which puts women at a disadvantage, leaving them to feel submissive because they communicate with empathy and understanding. Additionally, another barrier that exists in the workplace is the stereotyping, where women are perceived to lack leadership qualities like those that men possess. 

Question 3 

One of the strategies to minimize workplace gender barriers mentioned above is through implementing policies which discourage stereotyping, harassment and discrimination among employees and these policies should be based on state and federal laws of anti-discrimination like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (Mayhew, 2018). Another strategy as Mayhew (2018) accentuate is by providing diversity training to managers, employees, and supervisors, and gender equality should be made part of the training. 

Question 4 

Leaders in the workplace can use various ways to promote effective communication and effective leadership strategies between women and men in the workplace. According to Himel (2016), one way is by actively recognizing gender biases that exist and education both men and women on the negative effects they can have in an organization, and empowering teams to hold open discussions concerning diversity and gender balance. 

References 

Górska, A. (2016). Gender Differences in Leadership.  Studia i Materiały/Wydział Zarządzania. Uniwersytet Warszawski , (1), 136-144. 

Himel, D. (2016, June 22). Leadership Strategies to Keep Fighting Gender Bias. Triple Pundit . Retrieved December 3, 2018, from https://www.triplepundit.com/2016/06/4-leadership-strategies-keep-fighting-gender-bias/ 

Mayhew, R (2018). How to Reduce Workplace Stereotyping.  Small Business - Chron.com . Retrieved December 3, 2018, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/reduce-workplace-stereotyping-11114.html 

Zimmerman, K. (2016, August 18). What Gender Barriers Do Millennial Women Face In The Workplace? Forbes. Retrieved December 3, 2018, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaytiezimmerman/2016/08/18/what-gender-barriers-do-millennial-women-face-in-the-workplace/#7db74226604c