Whether male or female, you may have wondered at some point why men think the way they do, especially in the workplace. Male workers at times may seem abrupt, direct, logical, playful, or critical. Here are some guidelines to help explain why men think as they do regarding job performance. Keep in mind that these are general insights that do not apply to all men.
1. Men tend to be less verbal than women and think in terms of action rather than words. Research shows that women typically have a need to express about 25,000 words per day, while many men express about half of that--12,000. Women may use affirming or nurturing sounds in conversation: "uh huh," "um-hum," or "hm." Men, on the other hand, make more action-oriented sounds: "Vroom, the sedan finally started" or "With a whoosh the tree came down." However, either sex can produce verbal expressions like these to supplement vocabulary statements.
2. Men often demonstrate more linear thinking than women. The male mind undergoes a hormonal bath in week 16 of gestational development, closing off one of two pathways between the two hemispheres of the brain. When the remaining pathway adapts its circulatory process to compensate for the shutdown of the secondary valve, men's rational (or left brain) thinking becomes enhanced. They learn to get from point A to point B as directly as possible. This means they learn to assess a problem quickly and methodically.
3. Men typically enjoy competition. On the job, this means that many men are stimulated to apply for a promotion or compete for a new job. Others participate in contests or subtly challenge co-workers to a performance race in competing for the raise pool.
4. Men promptly recognize and adapt to hierarchy. In a group setting, the male mind will mentally assess varied personalities to figure out who the leader is. Of course, he will compete for leadership if that is a viable option. If not, he will take his place in the chain of command as expected.
5. Many men prefer to work individually rather than as a team. A solo effort can mean more to a certain percentage of men who don't like answering to a supervisor or working in tandem with another employee.
6. More men are type A personalities. This can be helpful in using aggression and assertiveness to get things done at work. But it also can be a turn-off to clients when a bull-headed employee comes on too strong and stands out as a know-it-all.
7. Some men appear to be especially critical or to enjoy conflict. Actually, these men may enjoy probing an issue by way of debating its pro's and con's. Playing devil's advocate is a role that is often relished by the male sex, and is often used to explore an idea in a positive way.
8. Many men feel like they are expected to lead. When others don't follow, men can feel like failures. As a supervisor, clarify each employee's job role to avoid unrealistic expectations or someone's sense of failed leadership.
Not all men fit these patterns, naturally. But many do. Understanding how some men think while on the job can enhance understanding and promote more effective communication.
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