Gender issues: Yes, we're different

Gender differences in communication are both obvious and subtle. The wildly popular book, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, highlights the differences in how men and women think, with a focus on personal relationships.

While we often find humor in these conflicting perspectives, it can be extremely frustrating and potentially derailing when we experience these diverse attitudes in our professional lives. Therefore, understanding gender distinctions in communication is critical for both men and women to work together effectively and maximize their individual and collective potential for business success.

The work place differences in the male/female dynamic is demonstrated in a recent article in the Harvard Business Review that found that not only are women grossly underrepresented on Fortune 500 boards, but females' experiences are vastly different from their male counterparts' perception of how women experience being on a board. Women often feel excluded and isolated in the boardroom — and men don't pick up on that at all.