Workplace Gender Issues 2010

As we contemplate 2010, many online conversations turn to assessing emerging trends. One of the discussions that drew me in concerned whether women need to be more aggressive about promoting themselves in the work environment. The discussion was held on LinkedIn's Harvard Alumni group in response to an article by Shaun Rein, published in Forbes Magazine. The responses were highly intelligent, deeply felt and, occasionally, quite cutting.

As a diversity professional of many years, I have seen gender issues played out in many environments. It can be smooth sailing but it is often contentious. Many men say women are wimps at negotiating promotions and raises. Many women say the same thing. Many men complain that training a room full of women is like going into battle because there's no limit to the rancor expressed. Women complain that a male trainer should never be sent into their room because it's insulting to be lectured yet again. I've seen men and women take cheap shots, and very personal ones, at each other in diversity training and no one in the room blinks an eye. As for sex on the job, I've seen men lose their jobs for inappropriate sexual relationships as well as women.

In my lifetime, I have played the game, dressed the part, walked the walk of the executive. I have also been an entrepreneur, writer and artist who answers to pretty much no one. Even with the number of years I have in the diversity profession and from a variety of angles, I am continually amazed at the persistent differences between the male and female world perspectives.

It is no secret in the diversity field that people tend to promote/choose those who they have much in common, who are like them and with whom they are comfortable. They ask why they should choose people with whom they are uncomfortable. Those who don't fit the mold feel immense frustration, as demonstrated by this discussion. Even though there are many men and women who are extremely proactive and comfortable in equalizing the workplace, the feelings remain raw on all sides. This is why there is often strong push back on seemingly mild comments.

I do think that the game is about to change. The high unemployment among men in this recession has evened out the gender salary differences in unexpected and unpleasant ways. In this time of displacement and unrest the keys to success may well be the ability to balance change management and conflict resolution with the bottom line. At least, that is my hope for both men and women.

Deborah Levine is a Diversity Pro with more than 25 years experience, numerous diversity degrees and various honors. She specializes in building diverse teams & leaders and consults for government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, educational institutions and youth organizations.

Deborah is an award-winning author whose publications range from global leadership guides to diversity stories for children. She is Editor of the online American Diversity Report which is read in 70 countries, averaging 1,000 unique viewers daily. Deborah's blogs are a popular feature. They are thoughtful, amusing and fair, as she believes in poking everyone equally.