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.