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advertising, fast company, female vs. male wages, Females and STEM education, Forbes, Indiana wage gap, leadership, random, real, relevant, research, the case for girls, the problem with the female brand, women, work
Recently, there has been quite a few articles written about perceived and statistical differences between men and women in the workplace. These articles reference effectiveness of leadership; wages; and perceived knowledge in STEM related fields. All of this information left me asking a few questions.
If women are better leaders (read “more effective”) than men, then why in Indiana do we (statistically) make less than our counterparts? And if research that shows a female’s knowledge is perceived to be less than male’s in environments like STEM education when not factually accurate, then are women “really’ better leaders or do we just perceive them to be?
Chew on that and then share your thoughts.
If you’re interested in making a case for girls, check out this excellent article from Fast Company. Don’t miss the slideshow at the end of the article featuring ads that address what could be determined to be a branding issue.
Thought provoking post, Heather. I don’t think it’s that women are better leaders than men (or vice versa). I think it’s that, in general, women’s leadership style is different than men’s. And it’s a difference that is not—yet!—fully appreciated or valued. But we’re getting there.
Back in the day when I was first starting out in the business world (we’re talking early 70’s here), there simply were no women in leadership roles in business. Well, except for the hard-driving women executives in the movies who led the way men lead but saw the error of their ways and gave it all up for love and domestic bliss by The End (talk about branding!). Women in leadership roles in the real world were so scarce it was an anomaly worth mention, if not serious (and alarmed) discussion. And that discussion wasn’t about how women led but whether they had any leadership ability at all. Today, we have a plethora… okay, not a plethora but a lot of successful women in very visible leadership positions. And whether women can lead is not up for discussion any longer; the conversation has evolved as to which gender’s leadership style is better.
The same holds true for advancement in STEM fields. When I was in school, there was nary a girl to be seen in advanced math or science classes, and the question wasn’t could girls compete in those arenas but whether they had the brainpower to be there at all. In some cases girls were not even allowed to take those classes because, in the words of one of my guidance counselors, “Trying to teach girls science is like trying to teach a pig to dance. It frustrates you and annoys the pig.” Now, at least, we have a seat at the table and girls’ achievements in STEM are being discussed without mockery.
As for salaries… in 1970, women made 60% of what a man made for the same job. The increase over the years to the current 75.6% is movement in the right direction.
So we’re making progress, albeit slow progress, kind of like water dripping on a rock. I take great comfort in the fact that, given enough time, the water always wins.
Candace – excellent points! All of them. I think that so often, perception is reality and in fact that doesn’t due a matter justice.