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Gender Differences in Communication

This document discusses gender differences in communication styles and their impact in organizations. It notes that men and women have different linguistic styles, including directness, word choice, and use of stories, jokes and questions. These differences are believed to arise from both nature and nurture. Specific differences are listed, such as men avoiding apologies and women inserting unnecessary thank you's. The document provides suggestions for improving communication between genders, including learning to be more flexible in one's own communication style and being aware of how styles can influence perceptions. The conclusion is that remembering gender differences in linguistic styles can help improve communication.

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عرفان احمد
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367 views10 pages

Gender Differences in Communication

This document discusses gender differences in communication styles and their impact in organizations. It notes that men and women have different linguistic styles, including directness, word choice, and use of stories, jokes and questions. These differences are believed to arise from both nature and nurture. Specific differences are listed, such as men avoiding apologies and women inserting unnecessary thank you's. The document provides suggestions for improving communication between genders, including learning to be more flexible in one's own communication style and being aware of how styles can influence perceptions. The conclusion is that remembering gender differences in linguistic styles can help improve communication.

Uploaded by

عرفان احمد
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gender Differences in Communication

Men and Women have communicated differently since ages.


These differences create communication problems that
weaken productivity and interpersonal communication
within organizations.
Such differences are caused by linguistic styles used by both
genders.

What is Linguistic Style?

Linguistic style refers to a persons characteristic speaking pattern.


It includes:
Directness or indirectness
Pacing and pausing
Word choice
Use of elements such as jokes
Figures of speech
Stories
Questions and apologies

Why do Linguistic Styles Vary between


Women and Men?

Researchers believe that interpersonal differences between


women and men are due to:

Nature

Inherited Biological Differences

vs

Nurture

Females and males learn ways


of speaking

Communication Differences between Men


and Women
Men

Women

Less likely to ask for information in a


public situation that would reveal their
lack of knowledge

Ask more for information and directions


in a public situation

More like to downplay their doubts


during decision making

More likely to downplay their certainty


during decision making

Avoid apologies as sign of weakness

Apologize even when they have done


nothing

Ignore blame and place it elsewhere

Accept blame as a way of smoothing


awkward situations

Give criticism directly

Temper criticism with positive buffers

Communication Differences between Men


and Women
Men

Women

Avoid thanks altogether as a sign of


weakness

Insert unnecessary thank-yous in


conversations

Perceive questions to be a sign of


incompetence and lack of confidence

Ask what do you think? to build


consensus

Give directions clearly to avoid


manipulation and confusion

Give directions in indirect ways

Take ideas stated by women as claim


them as their own

Allow this usurpation of ideas by men


without protest

Louder voice volume to attract attention


and maintain control

Softer voice volume to encourage


persuasion and approval

Source: D M Smith, Women at Work: Leadership for Next Century

Improving Communication Between


Genders

Suggestion 1
Women and men should learn to Genderflex.
Genderflex is defined as using temporarily the
communication behaviors typical of other gender to
increase the influence.

Suggestion 2
Everyone needs to become aware of how linguistic styles
work and how they influence our perceptions and
judgments.
Remember that knowledge of linguistic styles helps to
ensure that people with valuable insights or ideas get
heard.

Conclusion

Consider the organizational strengths and limitations of


ones linguistic style and modify it accordingly.

Communication between genders


can be improved by remembering
that women and men have different
ways of saying the same thing.

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