Gender communications in the workplace imply different behaviors, perceptions, ideas, and ways of conveying them. According to Adler and Elmhorst (2018), two communication channels, verbal and nonverbal, can send signals for other people to interpret. While they are essential to the communication process, they also allow for numerous misinterpretations of the initial message. This paper aims to discuss a communication situation and the role of gender in its perception.
There are various scenarios of communication between women and men in the workplace where the difference in perspectives can cause misunderstandings. For instance, a female manager asking her male colleague to do a task can choose the following way of politely delivering her message: “Do you think you can finish the report by Wednesday?” If the employee gives an affirmative answer, the manager would expect the finalized work on Wednesday.
However, the female’s choice of courtesy words can imply high-level abstractions for her male colleague who does not see any obligations in her directive (Adler & Elmhorst, 2018). As a result, if the report is not finished on Wednesday, there is a communication failure due to different perspectives. It is worth noting that such a situation can happen between two female or two male colleagues as well; however, it does illustrate how gender differences can affect the efficiency of communications.
Meanwhile, a more direct speech and different constructions could help avoid misperception. Specific language lowers the room for interpretation of the message and can help both parties be concise. Alternatively, the manager can follow up with a statement that clarifies that she expects the report done (Adler & Elmhorst, 2018). Furthermore, the male employee can be more specific about his intentions. For instance, he might choose to say, “No problem, I will submit the report on Wednesday” or, on the contrary, “I am unsure as I have several issues to tackle, but I will do my best.” Overall, poor communication in the workplace can damage the company’s efficiency but being aware of gender differences and knowing how to avoid miscommunications can help the business succeed.
Reference
Adler, R., & Elmhorst, J. M. (2018). Verbal and nonverbal messages. In R. Adler & J. M. Elmhorst, Communicating at work (12th ed.) (pp. 191-255). McGraw-Hill Education.