Women can increase boardroom chances by understanding male speak
September 14 2011 - Women can further their careers more quickly by understanding how men communicate and by
adapting their style in order to be heard in the boardroom.
That’s according to women’s personal development specialist, Jane C Woods.
Jane, the founder of Changing People, works with professional women on how to be heard by men without compromising their femininity.
She has distilled the latest research into a practical programme for senior women called Speak Up.
She said: "Something as simple as a nod of the head can be interpreted completely differently - for women, a nod generally demonstrates understanding and encouragement, but to a man a nod signals agreement with what he is saying.
"We all know that men and women communicate differently, but in a working environment this can lead to men talking over women to dominate business meetings.
"Women need to speak up and be heard. They need to make sure they understand the rules - and then they can change them!"
Studies have shown that in same gender conversations people easily fall into a pattern of taking it in turns to speak.
But in male to female conversations men are more likely to interrupt women, while women still observe the "turn taking" rule.
It doesn’t matter how senior the woman or how junior the man, he’ll interrupt. Women need to be more confident and assertive to counter this.
Jane added: "When women see the research they tend to be annoyed with themselves for seeming passive.
"And men hate to think of themselves as constant interrupters, but that’s the reality.
"It’s not about women coming all over butch and behaving like men, but it is about standing your ground, learning to hold the floor and giving clear messages that men understand.
"My number one tip to senior women is: manage your nodding head.
"Woman who understand the language cues, and can amend their own style while still being true to themselves, should find that career progression is far easier. It’s my job to help them find that style."
In November 2011, Jane is running a training course Speak Up in corporate communication for women at the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath.
This will include a one to one consultancy session with Jane and a full day’s group training, as well as programme documents and a copy of Jane’s book, "When Work isn’t Working".
Speak Up can also be run in house for organisations where a better gender balance at senior level is required.
For more information visit www.changingpeople.co.uk/speakup
Contact
HRM Guide