subject: New Brain Research Claims That Females Excel At Emotional Intelligence [print this page] Writers in the field of emotional intelligence like to cite brain science research. A new book, by Louann Brizendine, M.D., The Female Brain, says that research shows that, as compared to men, women have More brain circuits for communication, reading emotions, social nuance, nurturing skills... (p. xix.) And on p. 119, the female brain is expert at: reading faces, interpreting tone of voice, and assessing emotional nuance.
This research confirms the common view that women can handle relationship management better than men. If that is true, what are the implications for women managers and executives? One implication is that women who see themselves this way, as better in relationship management, should affirm this as a strength.
Of course, some women have no problem with a more aggressive, dominating style. That is fine for them. But other women have been imitating this traditionally male aggressive style in order to succeed in a male-dominated environment. These may need encouragement to build on their natural strengths in relationship management.
If they are in a corporate environment which does not view this as a strength, they can nevertheless find opportunities to cash in on their asset. Their goal is to multiply the places in which they can use their strength. They should look for situations where they can apply their relationship management strengths to the hilt to produce good results. Of course, with their own direct reports, they can seek out times to put their relationship skills into action.
What about men who supervise women managers? These men should also honor what may be a hidden strength in the women and encourage it to come out more into full play. If a woman is possibly not playing to her strengths, her manager can help her incorporate more of her natural strengths in reading emotions, as per this book. He can offer her opportunities in new situations where relationship management is the key to success.
Copyright 2009, by William R. Murray, President of Eagle Alliance Executive Coaching, LLC. Reprint rights granted to all venues so long as this article and by-line are printed intact with all links made live.
by: William R. Murray
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