GenderSmart Solutions » Gender Stereotypes

Jane Sanders Gender Communication & Issues Expert

Jane Sanders — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:17:53 +0000

I offer consulting, speaking, facilitation, and coaching services to help companies recruit, retain, and sell to women. Most of the strategies helpful for women also positively impact Gen Y. I create productive GenderSmart® cultures for both men and women of all ages!

I’ve researched gender issues for over 16 years and worked with many top US companies including US Steel, Ameriprise Financial, MassMutual, Prudential Financial, Thrivent Financial, Toyota Motor Sales, Ford Motor Co., Nestlé Foods, Choice Hotels, Boeing, and more. Please visit my website at http://www.janesanders.com.

Women and the Global Economy

Jsanders — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:01:13 +0000

Rick Goings writes a powerful message on Huffington Post, here’s an excerpt:”Studies have shown time and again that opening opportunities for women in the workforce can have a massive impact on a nation’s economy. A report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Countries found that restricting job opportunities for women is costing the region between US $42 and US $46 billion a year. Even in our country, women still only make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes.”

And that’s just the beginning. Goings’ philosophy and position on women in the workplace is so similar to mine and what I teach that it’s as if he read my articles and then wrote the post. No wonder I found this post inspiring!

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Impact! Cleavage on Your Career

Jsanders — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:29:29 +0000

I am SO happy to see this post! It’s an excerpt from “The Male Factor: The Unwritten Rules, Misperceptions, and Secret Beliefs of Men in the Workplace” by Shaunti Feldhahn, and explains in no uncertain terms the negative impact that cleavage and tight clothes have on women’s careers.

I have always said dressing this way at work is a mistake. Do you want men thinking about business or boobs? To maximize credibility, respect, and upward mobility, dress professionally without calling attention to your body parts! Save that for social situations, not business.

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The Myths of Women’s Equality

Jsanders — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:59:38 +0000

Excellent post on The Glass Hammer today, well-researched and thorough article about how, despite some reports, women are far from achieving equality. I like this article for many reasons, one being it reinforces my work and perspective, and what I teach my corporate and association audiences: We have a long way to go; it’s not men’s fault; we need to fix the system, not men; until women can be women (vs. pretend-men) and still be successful, they cannot enjoy equality; and more.

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Why Men Don’t Promote Women

Jsanders — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:28:47 +0000

A great post on Fistful of Talent by Tim Sackett! REad this excerpt:

“Shaun, I hate to say it, but you are probably sexist, and it’s not “mostly womens fault” that you didn’t promote them. While I’m sure you would argue you are very in-touch with diversity issues, because of your heritage, I would also assume that same background has given you a skewed view of gender issues and the historical battles they have faced in climbing leadership ladders. The fact that you write that some might be surprised that most men have nothing against working for a female boss, shows you yourself were somewhat surprised by the data. Most men don’t have issues working for women, only sexist men have problems working for women.”

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Books for working women

Jsanders — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:07:58 +0000

WSJ reviews three books written for working women and pulls out the common threads relevant to flexibility, advancement, “having it all”, and balance. A good solid article…

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Jsanders — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:04:21 +0000

Katherine Kersten at StarTribune.com writes about a Wharton study that indicates women are less happy now that they have more equality, and discusses educated guesses as to the reasons why.

I am a gender issues expert, one who fervently believes in equality. I also believe some of the old stereotypes. No, not the ones that go too far and make unfair assumptions and judgments, but the ones that simply stem from general truths. I believe Ms. Kersten is correct in her estimations, and i believe that for survival reasons women have been biologically and socially wired, for thousands of years, to prioritize and covet family and relationships.

Significant detour from these “happiness” motivators cause deep stress, as does the dual role of career and primary household/family manager. There goes happiness and peace of mind. Many women can handle this. Many women have figured out how to have both high-powered career AND family. But, however unconsciously, the further many women get from the roles they have been wired for, the less peace of mind and contentment they will have. Yes this is a general statement, and there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule.

I don’t have time to explain all my rationale (thoroughly researched, by the way), but suffice it to say I was not surprised at all by the results of this study. Women are most definitely capable of strong careers. The world needs women in the workplace as baby boomers retire and the number of available men dwindles. So if a woman gets fulfillment and pleasure and can avoid heavy stress, more power to her. But she should not be judged negatively if she chooses to focus solely on the most important job of all…raising healthy, happy, highly functioning children who will be responsible for the future of the world. And the second most important job? Keeping herself happy and healthy, otherwise she cannot be a consistently positive influence on anyone.

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Women’s Testosterone Affects Career Choice

Jsanders — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:19:30 +0000

US News & World Report reveals results of a study to determine if higher testosterone in women impacts their career choices and financial decisions. Big surprise…it does! Read article

Women’s Emotions at Work

Jsanders — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:42:33 +0000

Great Gen Y site, Small Hands Big Ideas, talks about emotions in the workplace. so, for those who think gender differences don’t apply to younger generations, think again.

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How To Help Women Reach the Top

Jsanders — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:10:48 +0000

The Glass Hammer has yet another solid article with specific tips on how to help women succeed and reach top levels in organizations. More women are graduating college and entering the workforce, but few reach executive ranks. These actions and strategies can help.

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Male-Female Management Style Differences

Jsanders — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:16:43 +0000

Anne Fisher writes on cnnmoney.com – “There’s one sure-fire way to start a heated argument, whether around the water cooler or at a dinner party: Just say something that suggests women manage very differently from their male peers. Then stand back and watch the fireworks.”

This article promotes a new book but also briefly discusses gender differences i ma in complete agreement with.

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Education, Mentoring Help Overcome Stereotypes

Jsanders — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:02:12 +0000

An interesting study conducted by Korn/Ferry International, which is an executive search firm, and the Columbia Business School found that mentoring and education were the two most critical components toward helping the most successfully senior-level women and minority executives get to where they are today.

However, male stereotypes still hold women back from the top rungs.

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Women Impact on Corporate Performance

Jsanders — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:11:20 +0000

“Corporate America, take the first step toward economic recovery. Open your minds and offices to new ways of working and succeeding. Not because you are nice guys — but because it will help the economy and your bottom line.”

The above closes an article in the Washington Post by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman addressing the female brain drain’s impact on corporate America. The article includes a profound discussion about the positive affects women executives have on bottom line performance. This is a great article!

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Why women leave companies

Jsanders — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:07:38 +0000

This YouTube clip explains one perspective, which I happen to agree with for the most part, about why women leave business…too much testosterone that yields inflexible attitudes. I believe both men and women would benefit by learning about the other and how to work together more effectively, but Patrick Dixon, contrary to some of the comments posted on the blog, makes some worthy points. Some people (like a few of those making comments) have such large chips on their shoulder they can’t see past them.

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Men’s View of Gender Equality at Work

Jsanders — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:15:24 +0000

Forbes.com reports a new and very interesting study by Catalyst looking at men’s perspective of the equality debate…why some men support it and some don’t. Basically, the more aware a man is of gender bias, and the greater his sense of fair play, the more likely he is to support women’s progress. Reasons for not getting behind women’s issues range from apathy because it would hurt their emplyment chances or not benefit them, to fear from backlash by other men.

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