A recent study highlights a troubling truth: while men can be assertive and still thrive in their careers, women often feel pressured to be liked and nurturing to advance. It’s like high school all over again, where popularity seems to dictate professional success.
Conducted by researchers from the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and IE Business School in Madrid, the survey examined the dynamics among 200 engineers at a global tech firm. Supervisors evaluated employees on their confidence, competence, and influence, revealing a stark contrast in expectations based on gender.
Women face enough hurdles in the workplace, from the persistent gender pay gap to the challenge of feeling confident amidst being talked over or “mansplained” during meetings. We often find ourselves critiqued for our appearance, with expectations to always be pleasant and accommodating. Meanwhile, men can focus solely on their job performance without the added burden of needing to be liked.
This study found that men are often seen as confident based on their job skills alone. In contrast, for women to gain respect and influence, they must exhibit warmth and empathy—traits that society typically associates with femininity. The study’s authors noted, “the penalty for being low on characteristics related to warmth is not proportionate for women.” In essence, high-achieving women struggle more than their male counterparts to sway opinions unless they also demonstrate concern for others, a stereotype that women are expected to embody.
It’s exhausting to juggle the need for kindness with the expectation to be assertive and confident—essentially embodying the perfect blend of June Cleaver and a corporate powerhouse. Why should women have to work harder to be recognized for the same achievements that men receive praise for, simply because they don’t fit the mold of being “nice”?
While we don’t argue that being confident and kind can’t coexist, the reality is that women are often held to a different standard when it comes to success at work. It’s a frustrating imbalance that many of us are tired of facing.
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In summary, the workplace continues to reflect outdated gender norms, where women must navigate a minefield of expectations that men largely avoid. The double standards remain a barrier to equality, leaving many women feeling exhausted in their pursuit of professional success.
Keyphrase: workplace gender inequality
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