No doubt women have the same set of skills, intelligence and the abilities to do the job as men. Some think women are more intelligent than men, hence make for passionate and committed workers. Some think women are made only to take care of household responsibilities and have no place in the workplace. And some advice women should strike a balance between work and home.
But, at the workplace, managing female employees, especially one as a boss, sometimes require a different approach than managing male employees. Here we share a few tips on how to manage a group of female employees.
1) Be honest while reviewing their performances
Most of the male employees are dishonest as they hold back their comments for various reasons. Maybe they fear defensive employees or the typical stereotypical woman crying or for many endless reasons. Be empathetic but not mendacious!
2) Encourage her full participation in employee meetings
Ask shy female employees to take part in employee meetings. Many of them may have very valuable insights or profitable ideas for the welfare of your organization. Do encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas.
It is also true that many women even though they are ambitious are not aware of conducting meetings. Now, it is up to you to do your best to encourage them to participate.
3) Don’t make comments that come across as degrading
Focus on her work, not on her gender. Don’t ever tell a woman she’s attractive or has a great body. Your compliment can be often perceived as demeaning. In the worst case, you will be accused of being creepy.
Do not praise her for being a great woman employee nor should you mention she has a successful career despite having a family. Just comment on her work front.
4) Promote talented women even though they don’t ask for a higher position
Some women ask for promotions in their early career life but will be rejected, and the shy ones won’t make a try again. Some will be pretty honest and reject the promotions offered to them if they feel they are not eligible for it.
In any such cases, advice your female co-workers to apply for better positions if they are eligible for it. It is also on your part to help them grow professionally.
5) Having a family does not mean that she is not towards having a successful career
Emergencies do happen in everybody’s life and it is true that young mothers do need flexibility. Do not mistake her emergency situation as a reason for her not turning up good at work. So be mindful when they need an emergency and do not ignore talented women forever.
On the whole, find out what your employees want. You will be surprised to learn that all your assumptions were wrong or in cases, you will find out that they were right. Ultimately put the right people in the right positions instead of building your own department based on stereotypes.
