Communication plan, you want to hold the most productive meeting possible.
To discuss your communication plan, you want to hold the most productive meeting possible. You know that, in general, women look for equality among other team members when speaking. Men tend to interrupt and speak more frequently during meetings, taking up more time and space. There are many communication differences between men and women. Because your staff includes 6 men and 6 women, gender communication differences are important. With your colleagues, discuss ways to ensure that everyone at the meeting has the opportunity to fully communicate their ideas. Discuss the following:
1 nonverbal difference between males and females
1 verbal difference between males and females.
How and why you can use this knowledge to communicate to the female and male audiences in the organization that you selected
Sample Solution
Nonverbal communication is a key component of effective communication in any situation and it often differs between men and women. One gender-based difference that can be seen in meetings is how physical distance tends to be perceived differently by men and women (Crawford, 2020). Generally speaking, men tend to have more relaxed attitudes towards personal space than women do which can lead them to stand or sit closer together when conversing (Crawford 2020). Women on the other hand tend to prefer more personal space when interacting with others, especially during group conversations like meetings (Crawford 2020). This need for additional space can cause a woman’s words or ideas to be overlooked if her body language cannot clearly convey her thoughts as effectively as those of her male colleagues in such situations.
Verbal communication also tends to vary between genders. Men are more likely than women use impersonal language when speaking with each other while communicating with women they may become more polite or ‘soften’ their speech (Kramarae & Treichler 1985). This tendency can lead some members of the opposite sex at a meeting feeling alienated since they may not feel included in the conversation. Similarly, due to cultural conditioning, there is also a tendency among men who dominate conversations at meetings by talking louder and longer than their female counterparts, thus making it difficult for all participants of the discussion to express themselves fully (Ridgeway 1990).
To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to communicate their thoughts during the meeting it is important for both male and female participants alike create an environment where different types of verbalizations are welcomed regardless gender differences. Furthermore, addressing any nonverbal cues from team members such as physical distance should also be taken into consideration when setting up arrangements prior beginning discussions (Ferraro et al., 2017). Finally, introducing concepts like “talking sticks” or similar measures could help facilitate smoother transitions between speakers in order maintain momentum throughout talks ensuring voices from all presenters get heard equally (Vorkamp 2007).
