Many people believe that the age of sexism is over.
But the fact that there are still very few women in powerful positions challenges this idea. Men and women often think differently, and not understanding each other’s intentions and feelings can lead to problems. It’s like being trapped behind a locked door with no key. This blog series talks about the ways men and women have traditionally thought and acted, and it teaches strategies to navigate these differences and open doors more easily. The first video talks about the differences in values and behaviors and helps you figure out where you stand. Now wait a minute before you say I’m not traditional.
Lots of women have a traditional male model outlook and lots of men can have traditional female models.
Some women think like the traditional male model, and some men might think like the traditional female model. Being a woman doesn’t mean you always follow traditional female roles, and the same goes for men. It’s helpful to understand these models to have more choices and flexibility in how you approach things. Not knowing your tendencies can limit your decisions. So, it’s important to learn about both the traditional male and female models. This helps you see where you are in various parts of your life, whether it’s at work or at home.
One of the big differences between how men and women think about things at work is right about the area of jobs and careers.
In the traditional male model, a ‘job’ is seen as a series of tasks or responsibilities that need to be done. On the other hand, in the traditional female model, a job is more like a place you have to go to so you can make money. For some women, certain jobs are just things they do to earn a living, without having big dreams or goals tied to them. On the flip side, men tend to see jobs as a list of tasks they need to finish.
There is a big difference in how traditionally, men and women view their careers.
The differences between how the traditional male and female models view careers are quite noticeable. In the traditional male model, a career is seen like climbing a ladder or a set of steps. Each step you take brings more money, more responsibilities, and higher status. It’s like moving up. In contrast, the traditional female model sees a career as a way to find personal meaning and create a big impact. Women often think of their careers as a calling, something that connects with their inner passions and desires. On the other hand, many men look at a career as a way to gain power, money, and status. They want to move upward in these areas. These different viewpoints really influence how people think about and approach their careers.
How do you think about your career? It’s worth a thought.
When you think about moving forward in your career, do you mainly focus on getting promotions and advancing personally, or do you think about helping others and making a meaningful difference? Maybe you have elements of both approaches in your thinking. Now, let’s talk about risk. In the traditional male model, risk means there’s a chance to gain a lot, but also a chance to lose a lot. It’s like a game where how well you navigate decides the outcome. On the other hand, people like me who operate from the female model often see risk as something dangerous to avoid completely.
Step back and look at these different ways of thinking about risk—either going for big wins or avoiding losses—it’s clear they affect how willing you are to take big steps in your business or career. For example, imagine someone suggesting you take a loan to grow your business. In one scenario, you might be excited about the chance to take a risk for potential rewards. In another, the thought of debt could stop you from going forward.
In the end, it’s important to see both sides of risk. Ignoring either the potential problems or the chances for progress can give you a one-sided view. Balancing these perspectives is key – acknowledging the risks to make informed choices while also being open to grabbing important opportunities that can push you ahead.
Traditional Male Model
Men and women have different ways of looking at life. In the traditional male model, if you asked a lot of men, they might compare life to a team sport. They see it like a complex game where everyone needs to work together to succeed. On the other hand, if you asked many women the same question, they might compare life to a regular classroom. These comparisons come from the traditional male and female models and lead to different beliefs, values, and behaviors.
For those who view life as a team sport, winning is usually the main goal. Outsmarting opponents is important in this view. Team sports show that different players need to cooperate to win, even if they don’t like each other much. This is like needing a goalie on a team, even if you don’t personally like them.
These different ways of seeing life, based on traditional models, shape how people act and think.
Certainly, comparing life to a traditional classroom offers an unusual way of looking at things. In this viewpoint, hard work is connected to progress, just like studying hard helps you pass exams. It’s like a reward for putting in the effort. On the other hand, in sports, sometimes people can succeed by being tricky or deceiving, especially if they don’t get caught. But in a classroom, cheating is not okay at all. Both success and failure are part of both scenarios, but failing in a classroom feels like a big letdown, not just for you but for your family too. This is quite different from the more casual attitude towards losing in sports.
The differences between seeing life like a classroom or a team sport are clear. Those who view life as a classroom tend to focus really hard on doing things perfectly. They believe in putting in a dedicated effort to achieve excellence in everything they do.
If you tend to think that life is like a game where you need strategies and tactics, you might be leaning toward the traditional male model. In this approach, success depends on how well you navigate the challenges in life. Taking calculated risks and playing the game smartly are important aspects. For people who adopt this perspective, life is like a competition where both achievements and failures are intertwined, and your actions and performance have a significant impact.
On the other hand, the traditional female model approaches life more seriously, with a mindset that sees things as either success or failure. The focus is on achieving positive results while also maintaining a good image. In this approach, success and how others see you are closely tied together.
A major difference between these models is how people interact with authority figures or clients. Those following the traditional male model often figure out what their bosses or clients want and adjust their behavior to match those expectations. This adaptability comes from the view of life as a game, where understanding and fitting in with others’ expectations can boost your chances of succeeding.
The difference in approaches becomes clear when looking at how people from these models interact with bosses or clients. In the traditional male model, changing how you act to match what others want is seen as a strategic move in the game of life. If the first approach doesn’t work well, they consider making changes, showing how adaptable and calculated this approach can be.
Conversely, people following the traditional female model focus on being true to themselves and being authentic when dealing with these situations. They care more about being real and genuine rather than changing their personality to please others. Their belief that life is meaningful and real drives them to stay true to themselves and avoid being fake.
This core difference shows up in how people behave too. The traditional male model treats life like a game where the aim is to figure out and follow the rules to succeed, sort of like planning to pass a test. On the other hand, the traditional female model values being real and genuine, and this shapes the actions and decisions people make when they follow this perspective.
Different ways of seeing life affect how individuals deal with criticism. In the traditional male model, if someone is criticized, if a boss isn’t happy with a report, or if a customer has complaints – the response is usually practical. They see adjustments as a smart way to improve and do well. It’s like they’re playing a game and just changing strategies.
However, in the traditional female model, criticism has a significant impact. Being true to themselves really matters. So, when someone important, like a boss or an important customer, isn’t happy, it’s very emotionally significant. The criticism feels personal, like a setback or even a disaster. This strong emotional reaction shows how deeply they care and how genuinely they’re invested in what they do.
This difference in how people react to criticism shows the deeper contrast in how individuals from these two models approach life. One is about adapting strategically, while the other is about being genuine and emotionally connected.
These different reactions to criticism can resonate with people in varying ways. Some might not take criticism too seriously and see it as a practical thing to improve. Others might connect more with the emotional response described in the traditional female model. These differences in reactions can lead to communication problems, even between people of the same gender. The distinct viewpoints can create misunderstandings and challenges in conveying feelings and intentions effectively.
In terms of building your career, it’s important to know which model matches your thinking more. Understanding your perspective can help you assess its effectiveness and plan accordingly. If you lean towards the traditional male model, knowing how authenticity and emotions matter to those in the female model can help you communicate and work together better. On the other hand, people following the female model can benefit from understanding the practical nature of the male model and using its strategic elements to their advantage.
Ultimately, being aware of your underlying model as you navigate your career can improve communication, collaboration, and strategic decision-making.
Absolutely, being aware of whether you’re focusing on the right things at the right times is important for making good decisions and achieving success. In the upcoming videos, we’ll break down each step of this process to help you figure out the best strategies for different situations. Remember that your approach might change based on different life stages or situations, and knowing this gives you the power to make smart choices.
You’re right that these differences in how you approach things show up in how you act and see things. Take the word “cooperation” for example. In the traditional male model, cooperation means everyone does their assigned tasks to reach a common goal. In the traditional female model, cooperation is more adaptable. People do the necessary tasks to contribute to the shared goal.
Understanding these differences and what they mean helps you manage various situations better. By recognizing the varied perspectives and behaviors that come from these models, you can make decisions that fit well with your goals and circumstances.
Imagine a husband and wife getting ready for guests at home. The husband follows his own way of getting things ready, doing just the one task he was asked. Then he sits down to watch TV. Meanwhile, the wife is busy running around, trying to do everything. She looks at her husband sitting there and asks why he’s not helping when there’s so much left to do. He replies that he did what he was asked. This situation shows how differences in how they approach tasks can cause misunderstandings.
Now, think about how you manage things at work. Do you act more like the traditional female model or the traditional male model? Are you focused on being authentic and investing deeply in your work like the female model, or are you more strategic and adapt your approach like the male model? Recognizing which approach, you lean towards can help you make better decisions and succeed in your career.
Interested in learning more about the traditional male model and the traditional female model?
If this way of thinking intrigues you – visit https://wordsthatchangeminds.com/advanced-business-influence-certification-program/
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