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  • May–June 2018
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review

What Most People Get Wrong about Men and Women: Research Shows the Sexes Aren't So Different

By: Catherine H. Tinsley and Robin J. Ely
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Abstract

Why have women failed to achieve parity with men in the workplace? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not because women prioritize their families over their careers, negotiate poorly, lack confidence, or are too risk averse. Meta-analyses of published studies show that those ideas are myths—men and women actually have similar inclinations, attitudes, and skills. What does differ is the way they are treated on the job: Women have less access to vital information, get less feedback from supervisors, and face other obstacles to advancement. To ensure gender equity, the authors recommend that managers (1) question the stereotypes behind their practices, (2) consider other factors that might explain the achievement gap, (3) change workplace conditions accordingly, and (4) keep challenging assumptions and sharing learning to create a culture in which all employees can reach their full potential.

Keywords

Working Conditions; Gender; Equality and Inequality; Organizational Culture; Change Management

Citation

Tinsley, Catherine H., and Robin J. Ely. "What Most People Get Wrong about Men and Women: Research Shows the Sexes Aren't So Different." Harvard Business Review 96, no. 3 (May–June 2018): 114–121.
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About The Author

Robin J. Ely

Organizational Behavior
→More Publications

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  • Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law By: Robin Ely, Boris Groysberg and Colleen Ammerman
  • Marsha Simms: Trailblazer in Corporate Law By: Robin Ely, Boris Groysberg, Colleen Ammerman and Olivia Hull
  • A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective on the Persistence of Racial Inequality at Work By: Sanaz Mobasseri, Wiliam Kahn and Robin Ely
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