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Greetings!
Welcome to the March issue of GenderSmart® Tips!
This month I have two gems on the agenda. First, I am excited to announce a new
service from GenderSmart Solutions ... Undercover Confidante™! See
below for more details.
Secondly, I had a tremendous response from last month's newsletter on
appropriate attire for women in the workplace and want to thank those who took
the time to respond to me. I am including some of these comments as well
as a suggested script to address this issue with employees.
Please share this with anyone who would benefit
from these suggestions!
Warm Regards,
Jane Sanders | |
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GenderSmart Tips: Introducing - Undercover Confidante™
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This
under-the-radar service from GenderSmart® Solutions discovers what's
truly on employees' minds and provides actionable 'intelligence' to
management - ethically and professionally.
Retail stores use Mystery Shoppers...TV's UNDERCOVER BOSS is a big hit...both
methods get results and generate positive change that can improve a
company's culture and increase employees' intent to stay, discretionary effort,
and productivity.
Read my Website or download the one-page PDF Document to understand the Reality Rooter™ process. . See how this intriguing, valuable, and ethical
service can help your company achieve its talent and
performance goals by gathering otherwise unattainable information and feedback
and providing specific recommendations for action.
Call me today at 618-204-5540 or email me at jane@janesanders.com
to explore how you can help your company, department, facility, or office come
out from the recession swinging!
(Or, if you think another manager/executive(s) would be interested in
Undercover Confidante™, please forward this announcement, thank you.)
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Cleavage
In The Workplace - Chapter Two
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Subscriber
Thoughts and Suggested Script
As expected, and to my delight, last month's article about cleavage generated more
subscriber responses than any other issue in the 26-month history of my
newsletter. Interestingly, all of them, 100%, supported my position, and half
came from people I have never met nor ever spoken to. Here is a representative
sampling:
"I shared it with my wife and she also thought it was terrific and about time
someone spoke out on this subject. As a man who tries to hire the most
qualified individual for each position, I must say that some men and women come
in with clothing that immediately causes me to question their decision-making
ability. Proper business attire shows confidence in themselves and
respect for those with whom they meet and associate. Improper attire
indicates lack of self confidence and lack of respect for others."
"Thank you for such candid, straight forward advice on the sensitive issue of
"Cleavage in the Workplace". I was asked once, directly by a
co-worker if I thought her very low, revealing top was suitable for the
workplace. I replied that I did not think so and that I myself would not feel
comfortable dressing for the workplace in such a manner. Jane, you are the
Dr. Oz of gender issues, because I can count on you to discuss a difficult
topic instead of avoiding it."
"Enjoyed the article this morning! It is funny, because I was just
thinking about this after watching one of my favorite shows on TV the other night...Television
reinforces these false stereotypes--that women can dress like this in the
workplace and be taken seriously--- get real!"
Another of my subscribers, a male corporate executive, agreed with the article
and suggested I offer a script in this edition. One of his colleagues asked,
"How do I have a conversation about cleavage with one of my direct reports when
my female counterparts dress inappropriately?"
Peer managers dressing inappropriately certainly complicate the situation. The
top manager should speak with them, perhaps using relevant elements of the
script below. Anyone can use it, actually, and select elements that ring true
for you, use your own words, leave out what doesn't work for you, etc. This
script is meant as a general guideline and suggestion, not necessarily a
verbatim speech.
First of all, try to pick a day your employee is NOT
showing cleavage, otherwise she will feel extraordinarily self-conscious during
the entire conversation.
"Hey Jane, let's talk about something important to your career here at X.
You're doing a great job with A, B, and C. Your D and E skills are getting
better by the month and that is so nice to see. We've talked about F and G and
those areas of your performance are improving too. Part of my job as your
supervisor is to mentor you and give you experienced guidance about things not
addressed in other parts of your training. One of those areas involves
employees' (or agents, advisors, workers, etc.) professional image and appearance.
Unfortunately, current fashion trends and the media don't help us with this.
They don't take into account real life and how women are often judged by both
men and women for their appearance and dress. It's very important for our
success, and for the image of this company, that the women here be perceived as
very professional and be taken seriously and respected. And it's critical for
your success too.
So as nice as they may be in social situations, low-cut tops and tight clothing
aren't appropriate here at work. I'm assuming you want to be taken seriously
and respected, and that you wouldn't want people talking about your attire
behind your back.
I'm assuming you want to show self-confidence and respect for others. You probably know that just because men may pay attention to
women doesn't mean they always take the women seriously. As one expert in gender issues and the advancement of women
wrote, 'you want them thinking about business, not about boobs.' I was a little
shocked at first when I read that but then I realized she was right! As
a matter of fact, here is a copy of her newsletter article about this very
subject.
(For talks when other female managers are dressing inappropriately) I realize
other women here, who I am not responsible for, don't follow this advice. And I
won't get into detail about how their professionalism and competency may be
questioned. You are on my team so I am mentoring and advising you.
Bottom line, I care about your success and future here, and your reputation,
and of course about the image of our company too. The last thing I want to do
is make you feel uncomfortable, but I thought it very important to talk with
you about this and I was confident you would understand and make changes
accordingly. Can I count on you for that?"
That should help get you started. Any more questions or suggestions, I'm all
ears!
Learn more on the differences between women and men.
Click here to read more Jane Sanders' Articles |
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Quotes Of The Month |
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"One thing life taught me - if you are
interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you." ... Eleanor Roosevelt
"And God took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath over it, and created
the horse." .... Bedouin Legend
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You are welcome to reprint any part of this newsletter as long as
you include "By Jane Sanders, GenderSmart® Solutions, 877-343-2150, http://www.janesanders.com."
Contact Information
Phone: 618-204-5540 Toll-Free: 877-343-2150
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