VOCA's Life@work series
Every year VOCA asks “How is work going?” We do this to keep our content and programs fresh. We do this annually to avoid the catastrophe described in this ancient wisdom saying:
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13
In this installment, we explore gender and how it impacts the lived experience of people at work. We looked at men's and women’s experiences at work, where they find joy and struggle, to get a more complete picture of how gender plays a role in life@work.
Key Finding: There is little difference between how men and women experience work.
For the most part, gender does not impact how people work. It ranks lower than race, industry, and generation in terms of daily influence. For example, particular Industries and organizational roles have unique cultures that directly impact the experienced day-to-day reality more powerfully than gender..
The differences that do exist between men's and women’s experiences hinge on their struggles. Women express more frustration over not being seen and supported at work. They also tend to struggle more with coworkers and other work relationships when compared to men.
Men however express more frustration over being blocked and micromanaged or a loss of control in their workplace. While fewer men reported having issues with coworkers or supervisors, they were more likely to feel overwhelmed by interpersonal relationships at work than women.
Regardless of gender, people at work want to feel productive, valued, and appreciated for their contributions.
Women's work
The struggles of men and women at work have been distinctly different for a long time. Before the 1970s, women were relegated to domestic labor, childcare, teaching, or secretary work. As this began to change in the 1970s and 80s, women like our own Ka Cotter were entering formerly male-dominated spaces like the commercial real estate industry.
In the late 1970s in Dallas, TX, Ka was a stay-at-home mom who wanted to work and was inspired by a book on residential real estate to try her luck in the industry. She applied to eight different firms, but was rejected from them all, possibly because “I was a woman,” she said “or maybe it was my inexperience.”
Ka worked as an assistant for a powerhouse woman in the residential real estate industry, where she learned and honed her skills. “I did everything she didn’t want to do- which was a lot,” Ka laughed, calling herself a “go-for.” But it was in this position that she would meet someone who would alter the trajectory of her career path.
“I met Roger and Marianne Staubach that year, when I sold their house for them in less than 24 hours,” Ka says, making herself "a hero in his eyes" at that moment in time. Roger was a Dallas Cowboys quarterback who also made a name for himself in the commercial real estate business. He hired Ka soon after as one of the first ten employees at the Staubach company. Ka remained there for another thirty years in a variety of roles, integral to the growth and success of the company.
Ka said being the only woman could have been a disadvantage, but she used it to her advantage when possible. “My cold calls would get returned because it was two interesting things- Staubach and a woman” that would pique the interest of potential customers.
At first, Ka said male colleagues would ask her to take notes or “pour them a cup of coffee” as the only woman in the room. But she said that changed over the years, as men began to realize that she wasn’t there to serve them and they were all sitting at the table together.
Want More?
This is just one of 100s of insights from our annual study of life at work. If you’re trying to navigate the dynamics of a changing workplace, lead others well, and understand your colleagues, our full report will provide you with the data you need to be wise at work.
Purchase the entire Life@Work Report below.
Comments