As many of us know, the business world is a predominately male dominated world. In America, women have been working their way up the corporate ladder (they still do not receive equal pay for equal work), but find at times it’s very difficult to compete in a global workforce when there are so many cultural differences that exclude women from forming close relationships with their male counterparts.
Huff Post Business reports on the cultural complexities that affect women in the workforce. The article notes that in today’s world, although women have come a long way, they still need to be more agile, resourceful and resilient than their male co-workers.
The article notes that every country has its own set of cultural norms and traditions as well as the expected roles for males and females. Many cultures have their own views on social hierarchy and work outside of the home. But in many traditional societies, for example, women have near-dictatorial powers inside the home while the man serves the family outside of it.
It’s important for women to also note that many cultures place a high value on age and executives that are (or at least are perceived) as young, might not receive as much attention and be seen as less experienced as their older counter-parts.
Businesswomen need to consider all of the signals they are sending out, from age to body language. Are they standing with dominance and confidence or with meekness? Are they making as much or as little eye contact as necessary for that culture?
With the growing role of women (form all countries) in a global workforce it is important to be as culturally versed as possible.
Humintell understands the needs of a growing global workforce and has compiled years of emotion, gesture and cross-cultural research to create INTELLICULTURE our Cross-Cultural Adaptation Tool. This tool will help not only women but any international business person who would like to be able to delineate from a cultural norm and discrimination due to age or gender.
The Huff Post is clear to point out that women need to keep in mind that the dominate power sets the rules in business and in most societies around the world, including America, that power is male. Savy businesswomen work to get the results they want from their male counter-parts not to offend them.