In the latest issue of Tidsskrift for samsunsforskning, we can read a new article from professors Knud Knudsen (professor emeritus in sociology at UiS) and Tom Colbjørnsen (professor in management and organization at BI) regarding the differences in men’s and women’s management careers.
The research project they have carried out shows that a high level of education is crucial for whether women reach the top, while the level of education matters less for men. The study also shows that men start at a higher job level and invest more time in the management job, but that women who remain in the management career can later succeed in making up some of the head start. The basis for the research project is nearly 600 interviews, over a 12-year period, with Norwegian managers from both the private and public sectors.
In a comment to Dagens Næringsliv on the question of whether employers emphasize the managers’ education more when they hire a woman than a man, Knudsen replies:
– Yes, it is probably the combination that strong formal education gives security to both the woman applying and the employer. Male managers are more common and therefore the employer may not feel that the level of education is as important to them
In the same article, Posten’s CEO, Tone Willie (54), points out that women like to think “there are two things I can’t do, then I won’t apply”, while men think that “yes, there are two things I can do, I will apply ». The question then becomes whether this can also be about significant differences in our mentality? According to Knudsen, it may indicate that men have more self-confidence, while women are more unsure of whether they can master the leadership role.
Women also, by all accounts, still experience a stronger responsibility for family and home. Therefore, it is perceived as more demanding to take on a managerial job than for men, says Knudsen.
However, it may appear that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Professor Knudsen tells DN that it is very likely that half of the country’s leaders will be women in 30 years’ time. He reasons this with the fact that:
-Women in managerial positions rise faster in the ranks than men, albeit from a lower starting point.
-More women than men choose higher education, with a large proportion of women also in management education.
-Women and men now more often start on the same footing when they embark on their management career.
-Over 30 per cent of the country’s leaders are today women.
Most of us probably completely agree that we need more skilled female leaders. The question of why there aren’t more female leaders can be a bit of a sensitive topic. Personally, I am of the opinion that there are a number of factors that make it somewhat harder for women, at least when it comes to starting their managerial career. Among other things, we know historically that a proven or unproven person likes to recruit people similar to himself. With a still male-dominated image of Norwegian management, this has negative ripple effects. At the same time, I also learn that women do not want pillows sewn under their arms to get there. They want to compete on an equal level.
Having said this, and when it comes to what men and women do differently, I think it’s good what the professors (and Posten’s top manager) put their finger on here. Among other things, I have taught a number of courses, where I have often mentioned that it is quite human to find, and focus on, five mistakes instead of one right. Just think about it, we are probably in it to a greater or lesser extent every day. Our inner dialogue constantly influences our motivation and is crucial for our self-confidence both in the short and long term. In a career context, and in the discussion of oneself and one’s competence, it may perhaps indicate that the expression is largely reversed for men when they assess themselves for a position. This makes me think a little about the mess my wife sees at home, which I (perhaps as a man) don’t notice at all. Based on my own experience with recruitment processes, I also have the experience that women may have a slight tendency to be a little too hard on sales themselves – regarding what they can or can’t do. Perhaps they should focus a bit more on how tidy their career and skills appear, instead of focusing on a bit of dust in one corner? Take a few more chances, Norwegian women. You are more than capable!
Jan Erik Stuedal | General Manager | www.postsocial.no
Articles:
Underway Men’s and women’s management careers
Men climb to the top regardless of education, women don’t take the chance – dn.no
