Part One
Answer the following questions:
1. Briefly explain what research was conducted for this article. Explain what examples are provided. Are the examples and research sufficient?
It was to establish the prevalence of gender divide in the corporate world that a research was conducted among its women employees right from executives to vice presidents and even above. More than 7000 surveys were held to collect the necessary data, including 360-degree feedback from Fortune 500 organizations, and one-to-one meetings with top executives from companies such as JP Morgan Chase and McDonald’s. The outcome was overwhelming – gender divide was found to be just one of the serious issues confronting them across the corporate world. As it
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They found fault with the way the women conducted themselves at meetings like not speaking loudly, not able either to break into a conversation or articulate their views, and lacking in presenting themselves in an organized manner. The men often described the women as defensive especially when they were challenged.
3. What problems do female executives encounter when they attempt to present a different point of view?
When the female executives tried to speak, they often failed to articulate their point of view. They also allowed themselves to be easily interrupted and then tried to wriggle out by way of apologizing. In the process they failed to back up their opinions with necessary evidence. In short, they often ended up presenting themselves as a confused lot.
4. Explain what pre-meetings are and how men benefit from them?
Pre-meetings are informal meetings held before the actual meeting. The pre-meetings would help the participants in understanding what all needed to be discussed at the meetings. This would also help the women members participate in the discussions as actively as possible. When the women would come fully prepared, it would help the men keep off all kinds of bias and take part in the deliberations. In fact this is what men look for from women. Men would also learn to be really serious about what they talk and share at the meetings. Most importantly such meetings would ensure a balanced sharing between men and