In the popular movie “Up in the Air,” downsizing expert Ryan Bingham shares one of his many philosophies for living a smooth, efficient life: 

“Never get behind old people,” he tells the fresh-faced MBA he’s been assigned to train as they approach an airport security line. “Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left…” 

Then, spotting what he believes to be the quickest security line, he exclaims:

“Bingo!  Asians!   They pack light, travel efficiently and they have a thing for slip-on shoes, god love them.”

 “That’s racist!” blurts the stunned MBA.   To which Ryan replies confidently, “I’m like my mother.  I stereotype.  It’s….faster.”

This brilliant scene exposes a dirty little truth.  We stereotype, don’t we?  The brain scientists would probably tell us it’s a biologically-based way to cut through the clutter.  Our internal computer uses past experience to make assumptions, so we can concentrate on what’s truly new and different in a situation.  It probably used to help us survive. I’m not excusing stereotyping, just remarking on it.  Whatever its primitive roots, nowadays it’s more often an abhorrent, misleading mechanism.

But then there is the matter of gender differences.  A few years ago, we all staunchly denied there were any real differences between men and women.  Sure, we could observe a few things, but those were due to society’s differing expectations, and the difference in upbringing (“nurture”).  Now science is helping to sort through and identify some neurologically-based differences.  Regardless of the source, be it “nature” or “nurture,” I’m curious to hear what you may have observed or experienced about how men and women are different at work. 

So, if you will momentarily allow yourself to get over your fear of stereotyping, please tell me what differences you have noticed in the ways men and women behave at work?  How do women lead differently than men?  How do they team differently?  What do men managers just fail to understand about working with women?  Go on, say it, it might just be the truth….

….and don’t be shy about telling a story that illustrates your point….

Paula McLeod

paula@worth-a-thousand-words.com