The Female Vision

“The Female Vision”

How men and women observe their workplaces and how they prioritize issues shapes their vision. Women experience difficulty trying to express that vision because it may not align with corporate culture. Women often do not feel as engaged as men because their bosses don’t recognize, value or understand their perceptions. Dr. Mary O’Malley, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who works with female executives, says women may have a hard time defending their vision if their workplace leaders are not accustomed to handling subjective observations. Women learn to suppress their insights and eventually leave uncomprehending leaders to work elsewhere.

Men and women have similar skills. Men tend to focus on a specific task or area, while women focus on a broader spectrum. The concentration males bring to a subject supports their tendencies toward rigorous analysis; females’ wider observational skills support their ability to find connections and understand context. “Broad-spectrum notice” can appear subjective, but focused notice can exclude information.

Why the Female Vision Matters

Organizations gain new ideas and perspectives when they value...