Do you feel communicating with male coworkers is different than communicating with female ones? It’s not your imagination, men and women communicate differently. This impacts the way they persuade, make decisions and relate to others. Here are some examples:
• Men use less eye contact. Women use more eye contact.
• Men tend to smile less. Women tend to smile more.
• Men shift positions when talking. Women tend to sit still.
• Men nod their head when agreeing. Women nod when listening.
• Men use more small talk. Women prefer going in-depth.
• Men will express opinions directly. Women often start with an apology or disclaimer. (I may be wrong, but … )
• Men typically process information internally. Women process out loud.
• Men tend to talk and interrupt more. Women tend to talk and interrupt less! (Surprising, huh?)
To better communicate, try adjusting your style to the gender of your coworker. It makes a difference!