Various reasons are cited to explain away glaring inequities women endure in the workspace, such as the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling, slow advancements and career progressions vis-à-vis their male counterparts. Physical weaknesses, biological imperatives, a lack of innate ability to make decisions and be a good leader are some of the many specious reasons offered to excuse the fact that women often have the short end of the stick professionally. However, there is little evidence to support these purported 'reasons'; A new Pew study corroborates this fact.
The Pew Research Centre survey found that men have it easier in the professional sphere. Women have to do more to prove their worth than men; whose career progression is significantly easier than that of women. Whereas 7 in 10 women feel that there are not enough women in top business and political positions, only about half the men think women are underrepresented. The Pew study found that contrary to popular view, women fare better than men in several leadership traits.
In this regard, women are far better than men: 43% of those surveyed rated women as better, while only 5% respondents thought that men are better. Women are seen as far more able to put into place the modalities that help people feel safe in their workplace. They are seen as being able to foster a respectful and comfortable work environment much more effectively than men.
When it comes to valuing people from different backgrounds, women are clearly perceived as being more effective than men. Possibly because so many women have had to deal with gender discrimination themselves, they are more likely to be more sensitive to the discrimination others face as well as to recognise the value of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. 35% respondents thought that women were better versus 3% who thought men are better at this.
Here as well, respondents gave women more credit for recognising the impacts of their company’s actions on society. 33% respondents thought women are better at this, while 8% thougth that men do this better.
Mentoring subordinates and inexperienced employees is a significant leadership quality and here as well, women were rated higher than men. While 33% respondents thought that women make better mentors to younger employees, 9% thought that men are better at this.
This one is obvious. Women would be far better aware of the importance of providing fair pay and benefits to employees. Having had to contend with the gender pay gap (and also with its denial) themselves, women would be more vigilant about this under their own watch. Many agreed; 28% respondents thought that women are better able to do this than men; whereas just 5% thought men are better at it.
Men are perceived as being better at negotiating profitable deals. 28% respondents thought that more men have this leadership quality than women (only 8% thought that women are better). However, I may have to join issue on this matter; there is some evidence to show that women are better at improving profitability than men for the companies they run.
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