Mars and Venus in the Workplace:
A Practical Guide for Improving
Communication
&Getting Results at Work
by John Gray, Ph.D.
As Reviewed by
Director of Training, The
Hamilton-Ryker Company
Over the last year, I have received requests for additional training directly or indirectly associated with the differences between men and women. From sales training, to sexual harassment training, to management training, learning to effectively deal with gender differences has become crucial for success in today’s workplace. This need for additional knowledge pointed me towards the modern day guru for gender differences, John Gray, Ph.D., author of Men Are from Mars; Women Are from Venus.
In 2002,
Gray published Mars and Venus in the Workplace, a book focusing on how to not only recognize the
differences between men and women, but, more importantly, how to blend these
differences to increase productivity and morale in the workplace. I have always been one to accept men
and women are and always will be different. However, I recognize the benefits of increasing my
understanding of these differences.
So, I began the book eager to learn, but not expecting to be
entertained. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed by the pace of the
introduction and the first chapter.
Yet, I forged ahead. And I’m so glad I did!
In Mars
and Venus in the Workplace, Gray gives the
reader insight into the mind of both men and women. In the past, there was a clear line separating women’s
work and men’s work. Today,
men and women are working together.
In order to succeed, we must communicate effectively with one another
and bridge the gap to increase productivity. Utilizing the knowledge gained from this book will certainly
assist in bridging the gap between men and women.
While
reading Mars and Venus in the Workplace,
many thoughts filled my head. I
found myself analyzing which of my traits and other’s traits tend to be
more Venusian in nature and which lean towards Martian traits. In which situations do I find myself
leaning towards my natural feminine traits and in which situations do I tend to
favor my masculine traits? Which
situations should I be utilizing more of one or the other of these traits? Which traits do my team leaders
posses? Which traits do my team
members possess? And most
importantly, how do I use all of these newfound realizations for the advantage
of my company and myself?
Understanding
the differences in communication styles of men and women is the key to
successfully blending men and women in the workplace to our advantage. Men use communication to convey
content or information; while women communicate to solve problems, to minimize
stress, to create emotional bonds and strengthen relationships and to stimulate
creativity. This key difference is
a reoccurring theme throughout Mars and Venus in the Workplace.
As often
is the case, what you say is never as important as how you say it or how it is
perceived. Gray explores the differences
in the languages spoken on each of the planets. Men and women may use the same words, but the meanings often
times are very different. Men tend
to know what they are going to say before they say it, while women tend to
begin talking and gradually discover what they want to say. These are only a few examples of the
communication insights Gray shared in this book.
In
addition, Gray covers the differences in coping with stress, solving problems,
sharing feelings and emotions, following rules, teamwork, setting boundaries
and much more. Gray outlines
techniques specific for men and women for selling, maintaining and expanding
current business, negotiating pay increases, and managing a team. Perfecting these techniques will
increase the productivity of individuals and by default, the profitability of
the company.
The
layout of Mars and Venus in the Workplace
logically takes the reader through a variety of workplace situations. Gray offers key points, exercises,
role-plays, discussion situations and practical scenarios throughout the
book. Gray closes the book with
101 ways to score points with women and 101 ways to score points with men.
Mars
and Venus in the Workplace is one of those
books I see myself referring back to many different times, for a variety of
situations. I will use this book
to assist in the development of many different workshops, which will benefit
any company in any industry. As
Gray states, “A synthesis of Martian and Venusian values is the secret to
creativity and progress.”
Individuals who successfully blend Martian and Venusian traits will
succeed in the workplace.
I hope
you get as much out of Mars and Venus in the Workplace as I have. I
am confident that I will quickly see positive results from the valuable insights
I have gained.
Stacy Lindeman, Director
of Training
The
Hamilton-Ryker Company
9005 Overlook Boulevard
Brentwood,
Tennessee 37027
615-236-1127