Women in the workplace
In a working world where women continue to struggle to compete with men for the highest paid positions of responsibility and we still see injustices of gender equality challenged from time to time, should it be recognised that the sexes each bring different approaches to management and do managers need to employ these in a balanced way to achieve improved success?
In terms of corporate culture, it might not be completely arbitrary to suggest that competition, risk, accountability and blame, autocracy and communication on a need to know basis are more likely to be features associated with a male dominated management culture and more palatable alternatives such as better co-operation, accountability and praise for success, more workplace democracy and support for people to freely share their knowledge are considered as more female characteristics.
What are the other features of a successful workplace environment? Employee benefits schemes now offer options that recognise and support staff as ‘real people’, with a life outside work itself, enabling them to choose from subsidised gym memberships, childcare vouchers, the purchase of additional holiday entitlement and packages for health and dental care.
Developments in work culture have been recognised as encouraging a more corporate rather than a ‘silo mentality’ and a less confrontational approach to employee relations.
It has to be noted that given the great imbalance that persists in organisations with the numbers of women recruited to the top five per cent of posts, consideration and emphasis has to be given to recognising that women have plenty to offer and are capable of achieving the same end point as their male counterparts, and at times can make the journey to the finish line with a much less bumpy ride.
Perhaps successful management does not rely on adopting a purely masculine or feminine approach but could be defined as striking a balance by adopting appropriate aspects on the same continuum.
