[InPower Update] Which Double Standard for Women Applies To You? All of Them?
Excerpt from InPowerCoaching.com blog post from April 30, 2024
Double standard for women in leadership is an age-old problem, but it turns out that it’s not just a problem for leaders; it’s a problem for all women in the workplace.
Key Takeaways:
Numerous Double Standards: The article highlights the plethora of double standards for women in the workplace, ranging from leadership expectations to compensation differentials and age biases.
Rooted in Unconscious Bias: Unconscious biases and stereotypes drive these double standards, shaping perceptions and expectations about how women should behave and be treated in professional settings.
Personal Brand & Communication Evaluation Disparity: Women’s communication is evaluated differently, often with negative consequences for their reputations and careers, such as being stereotyped as “bitchy” or “bossy” for assertive behavior.
Age & Wage Disparity: Despite efforts to address it, women still earn less than men, with factors like weight, age, and parenthood affecting women’s pay negatively compared to men.
Leadership Challenges: Women in leadership roles face unique challenges, including the need to balance agentic and communal behaviors, along with differing gender expectations for delivering critical feedback.