Imagine how difficult work would be if you spoke a different language than your coworkers! Yet this happens every day – because men and women use different communication styles. These differences, which start in childhood, can make it difficult for managers to lead and cause misunderstandings that hurt teamwork and morale. Linguistics expert Deborah Tannen introduced the idea that men and women sometimes talk as if they inhabit different worlds. Talking 9 to 5: Women and Men in the Workplace captures real-life work conversations that illustrate her pioneering insights.
“When we understand conversational styles, there is less dancing around the issues, and work gets done more efficiently.”
–Kath Wagner, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Key Learning Benefits
- Utilize everyone’s input to generate exceptional ideas
- Strengthen diversity through positive, non-blaming approach
- Help leaders adapt to variety of communication styles
- Retain talented employees who know they are heard, respected
