Gender Differences in Business Communication

Vlad LoitarenkoForm 11ABalta School #3-collegium

The subject of my investigation

the gender differences in verbal and non-verbal

communication in various kinds of business

spheres

The aim of the work:

• to analyze social, historical, cultural and psychological aspects of gender differences evolution in business life;

• to disclose the peculiarities of men and women’s behavior in similar business situations;

• to analyze the film dialogues and compare the language means used by male and female characters at the workplace;

•work out recommendations to bridge the gender gap and improve the process of mutual understanding between men and women in business life

Men Women

doingtaking actionfinding solutionsgetting things done solving problems

pleasingcommunicatingmaking connectionsunderstanding

feelingsexploring emotions being understood

resolvers

relaters

Vs.

Externally focused

Internally focused

Men WomenVs.

?

Working girl

Communicative patterns Men WomenGeneral questions 43% 57%Echo-questions (Have I? Really? Do you? etc) 14% 86%Tag-questions 25% 75%Wh-questions 63% 37%Rhetorical questions 60% 40%Asking for approval and confirmation (Is it okay? You liked it? What d’you think of it?)

4% 96%

The ending upper tone of statements 6% 94%Thanking and apologizing 25% 75%

Communicative patterns Men Women“If” sentences of real condition 32% 68%“If” sentences of unreal condition 12% 88%Expressions of uncertainty (not sure, I don’t know, can’t say, um… etc) 7% 93%The use of the modals of prediction (maybe, must, might, could, probably etc)

27% 73%

“I think/ believe..” sentences 35% 65%The introductory and explanatory phrases (See, You know, I mean..) 18% 82%The use of descriptive and personality adjectives 36% 64%The use of emphasizing adverbs and adjectives (really, actually, terrific etc) 34% 66%

Communicative patterns Men Women

Expressions of disagreement and contradiction (no, but, don’t think so, can’t agree etc)

80% 20%

Interruptions during the conversation 90% 10%Irony and sarcastic expressions 74% 26%The use of parallel humorous examples to clear up the point of talking 95% 5%The use of idioms and proverbs 62% 38%

Strategies to bridge gender differences

•Stay aware of each other’s styles •Recognize the effectiveness of different

styles•Men, make room for the contributions of

women•Women, in decision making try not to think

aloud. Stand up when you have something to say in a meeting. Don't turn sentences into questions and root out "feeling" words. Learn to say "No". Use analogies to clear up your points.

•Get Information about male and female styles of communication and be able to use both of them