Our November event was an extended conversation on the topic of Women, Work & Stereotypes and was designed to include "bosses”–both men and women. Eleanor Tabi Haller-Jorden, General Manager of Catalyst Europe AG, highlighted key points from Catalyst's study into gender stereotyping in the workplace and led us through a lively and interesting discussion. Catalyst's research revealed three double-bind dilemmas often experienced by women business leaders. As Tabi explained, "It's a case of damned if you do, doomed if you don't."
1. Too soft or too tough. It's one extreme or the other, never just right. This idea that women "take care" while men "take charge," leads to the perception that women won't respond or perform under pressure. When women perform consistent with feminine gender stereotypes, they may be considered less competent leaders, but when they behave in ways "traditionally" valued for men leaders, i.e.,assertive, decisive) they may be perceived more competent but will be considered unfeminine and less effective at caring and relationships.
2. A higher competence threshold, with lower rewards. More often than their male counterparts,
women are moved into new situations that demand they reprove themselves and their capabilities. While being held to higher competency standards than their male counterparts, women can also find themselves being overdeveloped in the process.
3. Competent or liked. Women leaders can be perceived as competent and be respected, or they are liked, but rarely both. It would appear that likeability and competency traits must be different or exclusionary. Tabi noted that when women attempt to challenge this perception they are often labeled "difficult to work with," adding that it is time to redefine the attributes we use to describe leadership. Among the bosses in the audience, Gerold Andenmatten, Director at Credit Suisse, made the important point that the workplace is competitive and to achieve success, both women and men must accept this challenge. "We must actively plan our own career paths, taking on more responsibility and looking for chances to create added value for our employers." Following up on this thought, Tabi offered a few tips to help us navigate our own journeys through the double-bind dilemmas:
Be willing to challenge stereotypes.
Catalyst is a non-profit organisation working to advance opportunities for women and business. You can find more information and details of various research at www.catalyst.org Keep the conversation going. Share your experience, your challenge, your success: Have you had a gender moment? Maybe it was a university professor who didn't believe women belonged in a certain field of study or maybe a boss who asked you and not your male peer to get coffee.
Have you broken out of a stereotype? How did you do it? What were the results? Send us an email (communications.pwg@professionalwomensgroup.com) and we'll share selected comments on the Networker Extra.
Print to Page
Email to a Friend