Over the course of my career of 14 years, I have worked in both the industrial and IT sectors. I have observed that various ‘Categories’ are assigned to female employees, by their male colleagues. I’ve had a discussion with friends who, regrettably, had encountered extremely “typically categorized” female coworkers who, in my friends’ opinion, were influencing their supervisors with their “erotic” personality! Fortunately, I have had some truly outstanding leaders over my time in the workplace who have inspired women colleagues by their performance, diligence, commitment, and perseverance on each endeavor.
While we talk about gender equality it is hard for a stereotypically male colleague in workforce (and sometimes in family) to accept the fact that a woman can work hard, can lead independently and has talent to build stronger professional connections with her peers. “Are women better leaders than men?” is a Harvard Business Review article.The study was centered on “How he/she is good at taking initiative, developing and motivating others, and simultaneously pursuing her own development,” the reference link is https://hbr.org/2012/03/a-study-in-leadership-women-do. These nurturing categories did show that women scored higher than men. Another research published in Cosmopolitan, reference link – https://www.cosmopolitan.in/life/features/story/do-women-make-better-leaders-than-men-991818-2024-04-28# shows that female leaders show up more effectively than their male counterparts across every management level and age level.
It is commonly believed that a woman who works and is available 24/7 in today’s corporate world, her availability considered as an “Available” by typical male who doesn’t see much beyond her vital states, how has she dressed and whether she is sending any “Signals”! and if she is not sending any such signals then? Does that male colleague ease her work? or makes her feel awkward by constantly demanding a favour! Every organisation has a code of conduct, a law which is mandatory for all employees. Does that typical male follows this “Work Ethics”?
Healthy competition is not bad, but it would not be fair to exclude her from consideration for her promotion or to assign significant work because of her gender and assume that she would not contribute equally. She is not incompetent, antisocial, or stupid just because she doesn’t talk as much as they do may be. But that doesn’t mean she is dumb! It could be because she is shy, or… that she doesn’t put up with people who are fake and prefer to engage in gossip over thoughtful conversation!
The workplace would surely be a happy place for all aspirational women if male employees would shed their preconceived notions, cease being judgmental, and treat all female coworkers equally by avoiding male chauvinism, without making incorrect demands, and by providing equal opportunities.She will devote herself fully to her work, overcoming all barriers that are dominated by men, and she will demonstrate that she is the most capable woman by significantly transforming our society.
I’ve worked on several cross-functional teams from various nations, both onshore and offshore, dealing with as many ethnicities and backgrounds as possible, and eventually evolving in terms of varied work cultures. One thing I’ve experienced everywhere is a strong sense of teamwork and collaboration, free from biases. So when we call somebody a judgmental, what does it mean? is it being insecure, or being over-smart or over biased? it is all of them. Insecurities make us vulnerable, it compels us to form a judgment and reach to a conclusion about a person or situation. When it comes to a woman colleague especially when she is driven and career oriented, few societal norms, hold her back, by asking her to focus on domestic chores.
I am not saying a woman who is driven and career oriented has to ignore her home, family and leave them behind! No it’s not, question is at what extent she shall indulge in such environment where there is no prospects of growth? at what extent she would get drove by someone else? this eventually becomes a bottle-neck to her growth. Being judged and tolerate a male chauvinism inspite of being independent, highly educated is a real tough situation whether it is home or workplace!
How shall we overcome the judgmental behaviour at home or workplace?
Encourage her irrespective of her education, her physical appearance, her intellectual or her achievements. understand that not every woman is same; she has her own likes/dislikes. all we need is to respect her no matter who she is.
Bring her a secured environment where she will feel non-judgemental by anyone! Where she would be able to give her best, which would eventually benefits everyone including her family, her colleagues or her organisation. That is the reason why organisations make their policies for women employees to make them feel better, secured, encouraged to achieve better for herself and for organisation.
In today’s digital era and fast-paced competitive world, being empathetic, nurture her vulnerabilities is crucial, which can be achieved by constructive feedback without being too critical, or harsh. Believe me friends she is going through a lot already with her won psyche, and physical barriers so this is equally important to look after her well-being as much as men do to themselves. Having said that it doesn’t mean to be over-protective or to be over-shadown her needs, it’s just being there with her without judging her moves, her actions. Balanced and healthy communication also can make her day better!
Even at workplaces, many organisations can promote psychological safety by fostering a culture of understanding, empathy, and constructive feedback, which will help every employee to feel valued, and respected. Another aspect is whether a woman can take an initiative and come forward for leadership responsibilities of which many organisations puts invisible barriers on! Lot of men sometimes get into a leadership role in favour of their gender who are in fact not much capable of the role. This can be a debatable topic though, my only argument here is while acquiring such positions, those should be based on the skills and talents, irrespective of gender biases.