There are many books written on the differences in the genders and how we communicate, buy and lead differently. Shaunti Feldhahn recently released The Male Factor: The Unwritten Rules, Misperceptions, and Secret Beliefs of Men in the Workplace. She wrote that the familiar phrase, “It’s not personal; it’s business” concisely states how different men and women are. Men can compartmentalize and focus entirely on work, whereas women’s focus is more encompassing. Leading the Way to Success by Dr. Warren Bennis, Jack Canfield, Gerry Myers and James Kouzes http://advisorylink-dfw.com/books.html is another example in a long list of books on this topic.

In 1994, Dr. Deborah Tannen added to her impressive linguistic work by tackling the subject of communication in the workplace. Talking from 9 to 5 became an instant best seller. Jane Sanders, GenderSmart is another. And of course, the extremely popular Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus series included Mars and Venus in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Improving Communications and Getting Results at Work.

In addition to numerous books on the subject, companies have created seminars, internet sites and webinars to address gender communications and differences in the workplace. While much has been done and more understanding does exist, there is still a communication barrier and obstacles to women successfully escalating the proverbial corporate ladder.

I can’t speak for all women, but from my research, here’s how women define success:

Gaining Control – But not over other people, control over themselves, their time, their schedules, their responsibilities.

Working Smarter – In the past the focus has been on how hard can you work, how many hours you can log at the office, wearing that badge of honor of the 80, 90 hour workweek you regularly clock. Today, many women value time as much as money. (And they’re not alone – men are feeling the time pinch as well). Women’s new badge of honor isn’t how many hours they can work, it’s how much they can get done in fewer hours.

Flexible Schedules – Many women are saying – “I can put in the hours, but I want to put in those hours on my schedule.” They’re opting to work four 10-hour days instead of 5 days. They’re putting in the hours, but working around family time, medical appointments and other responsibilities that often don’t fit into an 8-6 workday.

Work that Matches Their Values – Women are tired of work that is energy draining and unfulfilling. They’re also keenly aware when their company values don’t match their own. This happens far more than you might think. I hear from many women who feel compromised and unsupported at work. They want to do work they believe in.

If you’re a woman in the workforce today, think long and hard about your definition of success. More and more women are asking to work on their terms. Or, as Christopher Morley said so perfectly….There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.

If you’re a company who wants to attract women – make sure you understand what her idea of success looks like. One of the most interesting things we’ve seen is that when you create better work environments for women, not only do women benefit, the companies benefit as well.

Here’s a toast to all our success, whatever it may look like.
I can’t speak for all women, but from my research, here’s how women define success:

Gaining Control – But not over other people, control over themselves, their time, their schedules, their responsibilities.

Working Smarter – In the past the focus has been on how hard can you work, how many hours you can log at the office, wearing that badge of honor of the 80, 90 hour workweek you regularly clock. Today, many women value time as much as money. (And they’re not alone – men are feeling the time pinch as well). Women’s new badge of honor isn’t how many hours they can work, it’s how much they can get done in fewer hours.

Flexible Schedules – Many women are saying – “I can put in the hours, but I want to put in those hours on my schedule.” They’re opting to work four 10-hour days instead of 5 days. They’re putting in the hours, but working around family time, medical appointments and other responsibilities that often don’t fit into an 8-6 workday.

Work that Matches Their Values – Women are tired of work that is energy draining and unfulfilling. They’re also keenly aware when their company values don’t match their own. This happens far more than you might think. I hear from many women who feel compromised and unsupported at work. They want to do work they believe in.

If you’re a woman in the workforce today, think long and hard about your definition of success. More and more women are asking to work on their terms. Or, as Christopher Morley said so perfectly….There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.

If you’re a company who wants to attract women – make sure you understand what her idea of success looks like. One of the most interesting things we’ve seen is that when you create better work environments for women, not only do women benefit, the companies benefit as well.

Here’s a toast to all our success, whatever it may look like.

Holly Buchanan is the co-Author of The Soccer Mom Myth - Today’s Female Consumer: Who She Really Is, Why She Really Buys. You can read her marketing to women blog at http://marketingtowomenonline.typepad.com/blog/

How does a woman define success? Is it the same way a man describes success?

This question crossed my mind when I read about a book titled, Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham. I know Buckingham is a self described “strength strategist,” but the title didn’t connect with me. I’ve done a lot of research on women and what they want – the words “having a strong life” have never come up.

You obviously can’t lump all women into one bucket, but I am curious – what does success look like to a woman? What does she really want? Especially from her career?

For many men, success is about earning lots of money, having power and control, being a good provider and being independent.

Women in the workforce have been pushing to have those same opportunities, to earn more money, have more power, move up the corporate ladder. They’ve been working the long hours, taking on more responsibility, proving they’re just as driven as the men. All this is true, but is it what women really want?

In their book Womenomics, Claire Shipman and Katty Kay present research and advice on how women can write their own rules for success.

“We want to show you your value through a whole different lens. We want you to work less but achieve more and live better. We want to make sure you go through such a profound mental shift that once you put down this book you will never again see achievement as hours in the seat, rungs on the ladder, and a fancy business title. It’s all too easy to be influenced by other people’s perceptions of what you should do. We’re going to show each of you how to carve out a whole new more satisfying path and write your own rules for success.

We’ll teach you how to come clean about what you really want, how to ignore what the traditional careerists say you want, and how to say no to what you don’t want.”
Holly Buchanan is the co-Author of The Soccer Mom Myth - Today’s Female Consumer: Who She Really Is, Why She Really Buys. You can read her marketing to women blog at http://marketingtowomenonline.typepad.com/blog/