For years we’ve believed that men and women are from different planets – sometimes it certainly feels that way. However a recent review of 46 scientific reports found that men and women are basically more alike then different.

Psychologist Janet Shibley Hyde, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin looked at research from 1980 and found that gender differences had either no or a very small effect on most of the psychological variables examined. Only a few main differences appeared: Compared with women, men could throw farther, were more physically aggressive, and held different attitudes about some types of relationships.

So what does this mean for the workplace? Essentially, it means that the myths of gender differences need to be thrown out the window! All those old stereotypes need to be let go. Some men are more communicative, some are less communicative. Some women are more nurturing, some are less nurturing. Men and women are equally likely to be communicative and nurturing - think about it - how many of our male friends make great dads? How many of our female friends get fiery when challenged? There are REALLY very few differences overall, and the differences that do exist are relatively small.

Holding onto tho old myth of gender differences actually harms both men and women of all ages. In a September 2005 press release on her research issued by the American Psychological Association (APA), she said, “The claims [of gender difference] hurt women's opportunities in the workplace, dissuade couples from trying to resolve conflict and communication problems and cause unnecessary obstacles that hurt children and adolescents' self-esteem.” Simply telling people that gender differences exist has been shown to produce the differences. A study of people completing a maths test found that the women who were told that there were gender differences in maths ability performed more poorly than those women who were told that there were no differences! Basically, you get what you expect!

Let’s remember therefore that differences are not deficiencies. It’s the variety and unique set of skills that each person brings to the workplace that makes our lives so interesting. So let’s focus on each individual’s talents, regardless of their gender, and we may tap into some fantastic resources that are being overlooked right now in many workplaces.

Further reading: Men and Women: No Big Difference, Psychology Matters, APA Online 20 October, 2005 Stereotype threat widens achievement gap, Psychology Matters, APA Online 15 July, 2006

Natalie Lincolne is a Master Results Coach and owner of Incredible People Coaching.  Qualified in neuro-linguistic programming, Ericsonian hypnosis and Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, Natalie is a respected human resource practitioner and consultant whose passion is to help women move powerfully forward in all aspects of their lives.

For more information see: www.incrediblepeople.net

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