Few disagree with research that shows how men and women’s brains differ. Many of my posts show research differences as they play out at work. I have also written extensively about tone that leads to up or down relationships at work, and offered surveys to test your tone IQ.
In several posts ... I show brain structure differences in men and women and discuss how differences impact behavior. This post introduces a few new insights from research I've been reading.
In most brain studies several facts stand out about how men can lead women more effectively at work. First – let it be clear from my recent post Where are all the Cheesecake Factory Women? … that I see amazing benefits where men and women lead in equal numbers. On the other hand, benefits are lost for both genders - when either side dominates leadership roles - as seen in the 85 brainy people asked to predict our next 50 years.
But back to insights pulled from research – to suggest how male leaders can draw far more from women they lead at work.
Ten top tips drawn from research about men’s and women’s brains…
1. Ask… Ask … Ask …. Ask rather than tell. Take the same issues you share with men and ask women’s views to see the differences. Just as men differ – so do women ... and when you ask women the same questions asked to men – you’ll get the goods. Question in ways that avoid attacks and watch women’s amazing responses.
2. Drop your grandmother’s assumptions. Likely you were told women talk more than men – and who knows who started that wild rumor. Turns out now that they speak about the same amount – as one would imagine when we drop rumors and listen more to research.
3. Share something that builds good will. My interview years ago with Mother Teresa’s top mission partner told me how it sharing worked to build close communities on the streets of Calcutta. Women who receive use of your equipment, suggestions from your experiences, or links to your connections – will fuel a shared vision with more brainpower from stronger social intelligences.
4. Ditch comparisons… such as women should be more like men. It doesn’t take rocket science to see the differences, and research now shows even more than once thought. Consider what would happen where you work if you viewed male and female mental differences as a distinctive advantage to both sides.
5. Spot cynicism before it stops women’s strengths. Some people felt that firing Imus was not enough to restore dignity to the strength of female brains. Male leaders who look for unique value in newly appointed women’s roles … especially roles traditionally defined for male brains… help enormously. It may mean seeing Katie Couric ratings through a brain based lens, and speaking to one strength she adds from a woman’s point of view. Counter cynicism with respect and it soon loses ground to grow.
6. Catch a woman’s cadence by observing what she does best. The mental flow was best seen on YouTube in the steps of an amazing mare whose brain and feet took her to places nobody thought a dance could go. Catch the miracle steps near the end – when she danced to unbelievable peaks - without interruption or criticism to slow her down.
7. Expect to be surprised by the different strengths in women’s brains. Avoid political correctness in favor of respect!
8. Try new leadership approaches to draw out more women’s ways of knowing. Facilitate rather than manage, for instance, and you will draw new talents to the table that often remain hidden or unused. Avoid lectures or too much talk which works especially hard against a woman's brain, and block her offerings.
9. Seek women’s help out of ruts. Run from 100 killer words of a Hebbian hobo, and rewire your brain to include women’s ways for banking serotonin, and for playing music that increases focus.
10. Laugh as if every day is April Fool’s. Laughter often leads to peace and builds from women’s sense of how life works. It’s opposite to aggressive behavior that leads to bullying or shuts out the strengths of women.
Ask any woman you respect and she’ll likely agree … to stick a neuron in your head and laugh.
Ok, now it’s time for another top ten tips culled from recent research on the male brain! Let’s see a list of tips from a male writer – for a follow-up post titled … Top Ten Tips for Women Who Lead Men! Any takers – we’re all ears with genuine curiosity – for views from the other side. Any suggestions?
You'll enjoy Jim Stroup's interesting blog on this topic at Managing Leadership. Check out another cool pathway paved by Alvaro over at Sharp Brains. Thanks guys for nudging the ideas into deeper water for a closer look at the real problems and solutions! What thoughtful steps forward for all of us!
Check out Robyn's take on ...how men don't think - and women think too much, for yet another angle of a cool topic. Ok, your turn ....
This post is so thoughtfully done. You show how it's not about power, but about respect. Thanks.
Posted by: Robyn McMaster | July 29, 2007 4:02 PM | Permalink to Comment