Are gender labels holding women back? Make it stop - Women's Agenda

Are gender labels holding women back? Make it stop

It’s an unfortunate reality that some women continue to be overlooked for opportunities they deserve. Gender labels are unquestionably a part of the problem.

For many women the challenges of earning a fair income and advancing their careers are made all that much harder by labels that encourage and reinforce biases.

At the heart of the issue are cultural stereotypes that require women to behave in certain ways.  Being caring, warm, emotional and sensitive are expectations many people have of women.  In contrast, being assertive, competitive, decisive, rational and forceful deviate from the social script that dictates how women “should” behave.

While often unconscious these expectations influence the way both a woman’s potential and performance are perceived.  For example, it’s common for employers to look for traits typically regarded as masculine, in candidates for leadership roles.  The challenge for women is demonstrating their ability to bring strength and drive to the role drive, while adopting an empathetic approach.

Research consistently shows that women face distinct social penalties for doing the very things that lead to success. Stanford University sociologist Marianne Cooper argues, “High-achieving women experience social backlash because their very success – and specifically the behaviors that created that success – violates our expectations about how women are supposed to behave.”

Labels like feisty, ice maiden and ballbuster all point to the attitudes people often hold toward women who demonstrate so called masculine traits.  Where their male counterpart may be regarded as assertive, women with the same behaviours are more likely to be perceived as pushy, harsh and even bitchy.

Speak up when you observe or experience bias and do your part to drive a change in mindset. While its important to challenge discrimination, focus on and invest your energy in doing what you can to enable your own success, irrespective of the obstacles people put in front of you.  Among the most important things you can do to succeed despite gender bias include these:

  1. Don’t buy the label. Choose not to believe in biased gender labels.  See yourself as being capable of both empathy and objectivity, of being fair and firm, strong and flexible.  Women are just as capable of holding people accountable and driving results as are men. Some women believe they need to demonstrate masculine qualities to get ahead and survive in ‘a man’s world’. These women adopt an unnecessarily forceful and demanding approach to exerting influence. Hypersensitive to the consequences of being perceived as too feminine to get their job done, some overcompensate and take an aggressive and uncompromising approach.
  1. Be you. The most likely path to success is one of authenticity.  Choose to be who you are and avoid the temptation to present a façade you believe the world needs to see.  Of course we all have to conform to standards of dress and conduct reasonable people regard as professional.  Within these boundaries however, its essential that you adopt a style and approach that works best with the person you are.
  1. Be balanced. For anyone to be successful, whether as an individual or leader, a balanced approach is necessary.  Thinking with our heads and our hearts, being empathetic and outcome focused both matter.  It doesn’t serve us to be overly emotional or too clinical in our thinking.  Bring both the ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ aspects of your nature to your work and life.
  1. Speak up. Have the courage to speak your mind.  Women are more likely than their male colleagues to allow self-doubt to hold them back from sharing their views.  Never apologize for having an opinion; just take responsibility for how you go about sharing it.  Be honest and sensitive, fair and firm, and most people will respect your approach.
  1. Put your hand up. Don’t wait for someone to notice your potential or guess at your career aspirations.  Let the leaders you work with know what you are capable of achieving and what more you can contribute.  Ask for the opportunities you want in your career and the support you need to get there.
  1. Take what you deserve. Women can be inclined to forgo opportunities for the sake of other people.  Not wanting to let someone down, ask for or expect too much, women are less likely to ask to be recognised, rewarded or supported.  Understand that all healthy relationships are based on give and take.  Make sure you have enough to enable you to thrive in your life.
  1. Be bold. Avoid the mistake so many women make of believing they need to be more highly qualified or experienced than they in fact do to take the next career step.  Women are entirely more likely to be hesitant to step forward to seize the opportunities available to them. Have confidence in your readiness to take on a challenge and find the courage to ask for the opportunity.

Karen Gately is a leadership and people-management specialist and a founder of Ryan Gately.  Karen works with leaders and HR teams to drive business results through the talent and energy of people. She is the author of The People Manager’s Toolkit: A Practical guide to getting the best from people (Wiley) and The Corporate Dojo: Driving extraordinary results through spirited people. For more information visit www.ryangately.com.au or contact [email protected]

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