Gender-based stereotypes are still prevalent in the workplace. Male
managers often pal around with male subordinates, discussing fantasy
football and weekend golf outings, but keep discussions with women
strictly work-related. At the same time, female managers tend to open up
more with other women in the organization, believing men “just don’t
understand.”
But as a manager, have you tried to incorporate the opposite sex into the world you think is only for your gender?
John Coffey, president of Winning Careers, worked as a manufacturing
manager for 25 years and recalls a situation that epitomizes unfair
stereotypes between genders.
Managers at a local factory were searching for qualified candidates
to fill positions historically held by males. When women were
interviewed and subsequently hired for these positions, the men who were
doing the jobs resisted the change, making comments about how there was
no way a woman could possibly do the job, the work was too physically
demanding and women just didn’t have the mechanical abilities. If you have choices that wound be helpful.
