My husband and I were talking this week about all sorts of things (like we do every night). One of which was an analogy of how our office life seems closely related to a bumper car ride. It was actually his idea, and I thought this one lined up perfectly!
I don’t know about you, but I never liked those rides much. In fact, I have always been too short to have my head lay against the padded headrest just right. Every time I was “bumped” from the side, or behind, the collision resulted in a knot where my head hit the metal bar instead of the cushion. I also noticed that men tended to converge in the center of the ring, laughing out loud as they rammed the car next to them (friend, foe, or stranger). If it meant traveling the wrong way, they were bound and determined to give someone the shock of their life! Ladies- for the most part- tended to hang out on the outer skirts, more interested in maintaining control of their cars driving alongside each other in unison- exchanging gentle brushes with the other cars. While there would be a few female “scrappers” out there, for the most part this is an accurate account. Case in point- both were in the same game at the same time- yet playing by separate set of rules.
I am not trying to stereotype genders here, but I am pointing out the differences between our species. At the office those can be exacerbated by inherently different motives, measures of success, and methodologies- particularly when there are pressures to produce. We both attack the hill with the same tenacity (whatever that hill is!), but we do it very differently. It’s well documented that women tend to be more relational in approach, while men tend to be content to play as if it’s every man for himself. I don’t know which role you identify with at your office, but we can agree that too much of either one creates a disconnect as we strive for the same corporate goal.
While I will be the first to admit that as a veteran woman in corporate America, I can hold my own- there are times during the race that I need encouragement. A time out! How about you? In these economic times when everything is changing – yet nothing seems to be happening fast enough- no matter which side of the fence you are on, we all need to recognize where we start and stop as change agents. After all, the two styles can compliment the other if they are rooted in mutual trust and respect. So as far as it is up to you, play your part well!
Shannon
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
