The psychologist spoke about the impact of gender stereotypes on workplace disagreements

Conflicts in work teams are rarely gender-related and more often reflect systemic tension within the organization. Psychologist Alina Dodonova told Izvestia about this on February 3.

— Male conflict is usually immediately noticeable: a tough stance, direct words, a struggle for sphere of influence and resources. It lies on the surface and quickly attracts attention. Women's conflict is more often read between the lines: passive aggression, increased distance, decreased engagement. It looks safe, but in fact it is no less destructive for the system," Dodonova noted.

The psychologist explained that tension in the team is usually formed under the influence of rules and external factors. As a result, a person may appear in the team around whom accumulated irritation is concentrated.

According to her, such a person speaks directly, does not smooth out corners and does not maintain the illusion that everything is in order. Formally, such an employee becomes a source of conflict, but in fact, it makes visible something that has not been maintained by the system as a whole for a long time.

The expert also noted the influence of outdated gender stereotypes on the perception of employee behavior.

— When a male leader shows pressure, it is perceived as the norm, as a necessary option for development. When a woman does the same, the system reacts with alarm and puts labels on her: "aggressive", "difficult", "bitch". Female emotionality is often perceived as a threat to manageability, while male emotionality is perceived as acceptable involvement. As a result, the same manifestations receive a different assessment, which increases tension and a sense of injustice," the psychologist explained.

Dodonova stressed that rethinking gender roles in business is not an ideology, but a matter of psychological stability and maturity of the organization. With this approach, conflicts cease to be a threat and become a tool for regulating the system.

Read in the Izvestia article: The side effects of double standards: Why Men are more Conflicted Workers

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