Battle of the Sexes!
Growing up on the playground, we encountered the opposite gender in playful and mischievous ways. "I don't want to touch her, she has COOOOTIES!!!" Even at such young ages we recognized the stark differences between genders. The work of Dutch social scientist Geert Hofstede takes this division to a whole new level. In his work, Hofstede identifies the ways in which cultures themselves have displayed behaviors that distinctly divide along gender lines. Hofstede describes the Masculine vs. Feminine dynamic and as it relates to the business world! The tricky part comes in trying to decipher when and how to approach these differences. Masculine cultures are more concerned with power, dominance, and are very ego-driven. Feminine cultures are more concerned with building solid relationships and maintaining equal opportunity. According to Hofstede, the following countries identify with the Masculine dimension: Austria, Slovakia, Japan, Hungary, and Venezuela! Feminine cultures include: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Costa Rica, and Chile! While it's nice to know the actual countries that display certain tendencies, we are here to provide advice on how to recognize and reconcile these dilemmas.
Credit: http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/masculinity.gif
Here are some tips for co-existing within a Masculine/Feminine context:
Be cognizant of gender roles and how they affect the viewpoints of others
For instance, many oil companies will conduct extensive communications with many companies stationed in the Middle East. It is important to note the patriarchal restrictions that still lie in these countries. Unfortunately, many negotiation restrictions may apply to women when doing business here. However, this should not stop any women. Masculine individuals need to understand that not all cultures have the same values as them. Not all men and women act the same; countries with fluid gender roles showcase more crossover in gender behaviors. At the same time, one can not assume that a person's ethnic background characterizes them as Masculine/Feminine. The importance lies in becoming aware of your team member's tendencies and behaviors. Only then should you make a rationalized judgement call on how to handle certain situations.
Recognize differences in work/life balance
This area of consideration encompasses our social lives outside of work. Many people that come from a more feminine culture put more value into their time outside of work. In countries such as Sweden and Norway, telecommunication is a huge aspect of their work. Conference calling, webcam chat, and e-mail is a far more acceptable medium of communication in the absence of face-to-face interaction. But this issue extends further. Feminine cultures display more "relationship" considerations. The well-being or emotional stability of the group is placed in higher regard. Those individuals, regardless of their actual gender, must be cognizant of their "masculine" tendencies. Research shows that a balance of Masculine and Feminine personalities in a team leads to a more healthy dynamic.
Assertiveness does not equal leadership competence
You see this all too often. However, the loudest voice does not always contain the wisest words. Masculine individuals, regardless of gender, need to monitor their level of assertiveness in situations. Imagine a team where everyone is trying to be the unequivocal leader. Now imagine a conference room filled with inflated heads yelling at each other. In these scenarios, Masculine individuals might have to re-examine their behavior. Teams dominated by Masculine individuals often miss the subtle cues that only Feminine individuals are able to pick up on. This is a skill that requires a lot of humility and honesty. At the heart of the problem is ego. But in a successful business, you must check your ego at the door.