I was talking to an engineering friend the other day who tells me that when she places orders for new parts … her male clients often ask to speak to her husband, and she was wondering how to tell these guys she graduated in the top 2% of her engineering class. Seeing her frustration reminded me how far we all have to go in order to see others in a brain based way, rather than through stereotypical lenses. It’s really a matter of looking to learn from brain based differences… and it’s something that benefit us all far more … as I see it anyway.
It’s actually kind of exciting when you see people as they really are,
rather than through limitations we tend to impose on them. Problem solve with the brain in mind -- yours and your client’s and differences among people will likely surprise you with joy.… Diversity can work in your favor -- say differences between men and women…. So what’s missing in most workplaces? Believe it or not, the brain holds extravagant illustrations now to show gender differences – biologically and physiologically. Differences are well observed and tracked through imaging technologies … and these can help us to value both genders more at work. How so? For instance, if a man and a woman are asked to solve the same problem… different parts of their brains tend to light up as they find a working solution. Men tend to use one approach … women tend to use another…. Add to that that while some approaches are more common to women… and other approaches more common to men … people are also unique as individuals. In other words no two men and women are alike mentally. So what?
Do you see the implications here for capitalizing more on differences as a way to optimize more diverse offerings for solutions to problems at boardroom tables and beyond? If you are unsure where to start ask for solutions to your next problem from men only and allow them to discuss solutions with women present but absolutely quiet. Then switch to the women, and invite the men to listen quietly, while the women discuss their solutions to the same problem. The differences will astound and delight you!
How so? It’s often simply a matter of sharing newly discovered facts about male and female brains, as these apply to a problem at work.
Brains differ in delightful ways and you’d be surprised to see how many people agree with what the brain shows them. Did you know that each time we welcome differences we also grow new capacities to find novel solutions from people who differ from us in ways that add to what we think and do. Does your workplace take advantages of keen differences … for a wider array of solutions … or do those who differ often find themselves at the fringes of the main action? What can we do at work to value differences more… as a way to winning solutions to problems we inevitably encounter in any workplace environment?
Women do this a lot, too. If you're an old married guy, watch the eyes on the female receptionist next time you ask for a table in a restaurant. She'll look at the lady every time, even if you are in front, and holding up two fingers. She'll also say, "How many?"
Posted by: staboy | September 6, 2006 2:16 PM | Permalink to Comment