Men and women are different. We all know that. Research released earlier this year in the United States proved that male brains are chemically different to females which causes them to communicate less. Males also see the world differently and are usually more confident and less risk averse.
So what does this mean for a female graduate who is about to enter a workplace dominated by male leaders? The short answer is it means a lot. But knowing a bit about those differences can help women to make the playing field even for themselves and thrive.
- Back yourself
Young men tend to believe in their capabilities more than young women and they’re more likely to put their hands up for extra work. Pip Murphy, who is a senior strategy executive at Westpac, says it is important for young women to be aware of this and start backing themselves from the outset. “For young women, backing yourself might mean asking for a little bit extra of a project, which might push you a little out of your comfort zone,” Murphy says. “Make sure you believe you are as capable as your colleagues.”
- See the world as yours to mould
Men tend to view the world as negotiable while women tend to see the world as being fixed. Murphy says the book Women Don’t Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever explains that male graduates are eight times more likely to negotiate their starting salary which creates a gender pay divide from day one. “One of the major barriers is we don’t ask for a pay rise,” Murphy says. “[We see] it as being fixed, so there is no point arguing it, but the mirror image is happening with males.”
It’s important for women to start seeing the world as negotiable and Pip says the best way to do that is to start practicing. “If you really want a dress in a high-end dress store but it is about $20 to $30 too expensive, ask for a discount,” Murphy says. “If you can embed it in the way you see life then you will feel more comfortable in these situations.”
- Communicate with confidence
If you really want to be heard within an organisation then it is important to communicate with confidence but that doesn’t mean changing your natural style. “I never advocate for women to communicate more like men,” Murphy says. “We need more women to be women and bring the female traits into the workplace.”
What’s important for young female graduates is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their communication style. Murphy says not to add any preamble before an answer. “Just get straight to the point,” she says. “In order to be concise, say the answer first.”
She also recommends doing some quick preparation before each meeting to ensure you have a point of view and can express it with clarity. “Even if it is just two minutes [preparation], think about what it is that will come up in this meeting so you are not put on the spot, and when you do speak up, be concise and thoughtful,” Murphy says.
- Know your blind spots
Both women and men have blind spots and identifying your own blind spots will ensure they don’t limit your career. Blind spots are traits you might have but are unaware of. Some typical blind spots for women are that they tend to ask for permission and follow instructions. “Sometimes that’s useful but sometimes that can hold you back,” Murphy says. “Especially in male dominated industries where they often ask for forgiveness, not permission.”
Being more risk adverse is another common blind spot for women. It means they wait until they feel completely qualified or experienced to take on a new position or project. It can also result in them being collaborative when making decisions as a way of keeping the peace. In some situations being collaborative is appropriate but Murphy says in other situation it can translate as being less confident. It is worth doing some research into blind spots because once you are able to identify your own you can work to overcome them.
- Embrace being a woman
It’s important for women to embrace the unique qualities they bring to a workplace. “I’d love to see a world where we have real diversity [in the workplace],” Murphy says. “The traits you possess as a woman, including your emotional intelligence, set you apart from all the men in the room,” accountant Charlotte Martin says. “Nurture those traits and make them work to your advantage.” Both Murphy and Martin agree it is fundamental to connect with other females in your workplace and support each other’s professional growth.