Tuesday, March 31, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carol Kinsey Goman

510-526-1727

CGoman@CKG.com

We know that men have a different workplace communication style than women. But, does "different" mean better?

Well, yes.

And no.

According to research by Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D. (Berkeley, CA), there are obvious strengths and weaknesses in the communication styles of both genders. Dr. Goman, author of "The Nonverbal Advantage: Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work," collected responses from 387 employees and managers in the United States, Canada and Europe. Here are her findings:

Top three communication strengths for females

1. Ability to read body language and pick up nonverbal cues.

2. Good listening skills.

3. Effective display of empathy.

Top three communication weaknesses for females

1. Overly emotional.

2. Meandering, won?t get to the point.

3. Not authoritative.

Top three communication strengths for males

1. Physical presence.

2. Direct and to-the-point interactions.

3. Body language signals of power.

Top three communication weakness for males

1. Overly blunt and direct.

2. Insensitive to audience reactions.

3. Too confident in own opinion.

A few implications of the study:

? There is no "best" communication style for all workplace interactions. Women have an edge in collaborative environments where listening skills, inclusive body language, and empathy are more highly valued, whereas men are seen to "take charge" more readily.

? In all cases, a strength turns into a weakness when overdone. (A female's collaborative style can come across as indecisive, while a male's directness can be seen as callous.)

? To a woman, good listening skills include making eye contact and reacting visually to the speaker. To a man, listening can take place with a minimum of eye contact and almost no nonverbal feedback.

? When a man nods, it means he agrees. When a woman nods, it means she is listening.

? A man's ability to hold his emotions in check and to "keep a poker face" is viewed as an advantage in business situations. A woman's tendency to show her feelings more outwardly in tone of voice and facial expression is perceived as a weakness.

? Males are larger, taller and use strong body language postures to emphasize stature. By the simple act of occupying space, they establish their presence. Females can compensate by standing tall, broadening their stance and even putting their hands on their hips in order to take up more space.

Especially in leadership roles, individuals need to know when their communication style is an aid and when it becomes a deterrent to success. Comparing your strengths and weaknesses to these generalized gender differences is one place to start. And enlarging your repertoire of communication skills so that you can employ strategies that are most effective under various circumstances, definitely gives you an advantage.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact: Carol Kinsey Goman by phone (510-526-1727) or email CGoman@CKG.com. Video clips and a media page can be found at www.NonverbalAdvantage.com.