Men and women are drastically different especially when it comes to communication. A few leaders in Michigan and in the surrounding states talked about this a great deal in my training on supervision. Here are a few examples.
Men
- Tend to talk about things
- Regard questions literally as requests for more information
- Feel more comfortable with "report talk"
- Often think "small talk" is insignificant, and prefer action
Women
- Tend to talk about people
- Often ask questions to keep conversations going
- Feel more comfortable with "rapport talk"
- Think "small talk" is important because it shows caring
Here are a few differences when it comes to communication styles between men and women.
Men
- Finite (end sentences in definitive: "this is a chair")
- Succinct
- Nodding head means "yes"
- Less eye contact
- Need more "ear" time
- Don't ask directions-inhibits hierarchical relationships
- Grab the floor in meetings
- Speak louder
Women
- Process-oriented (end sentences in questions: "this is a chair?")
- Story-telling
- Nodding head means hearing information
- More eye contact
- Need more "ear" time
- Ask directions-promotes relationship-building
- Don't grab the floor in meetings
- Speak more softly
We all had some good laughs as we were discussing and evening debating about the gaps. It was hilarious!
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