CATEGORY:Creating a fair playing field

Workplace Myths

It is so easy to believe in myths.

We are conditioned to believe. From childhood, we hear our parents and elders caution us or advise us about various myths.

“Friday the thirteenth inevitably brings bad luck.”

“If your right palm itches, you are likely to receive money.”

“Walking under a ladder will lead to sorrow.”

Most myths are beliefs or practices that result from one of five causes :

1. Ignorance
2. Fear of the unknown
3. Trust in magic, luck or chance
4. A false conception of causation
5. An irrational attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God

Similarly, workplace myths, too, abound.

A lot of these myths start off as well-intentioned business and leadership observations. Sadly, they take on the garb of wisdom, and over time, are believed as if they were gospel.

Here are 5 workplace myths that research has proven wrong. You have surely heard of these. You have possibly believed these myths.

Let us bust these myths once and for all!

Myth # 1 : Longer Hours = More Productivity

Since I started working many years ago, I have always been told that putting in extra hours is the sure route to achievement and success.

“See that colleague – he works 14 hours every day, and his career is sky-rocketing.”

Research has conclusively proved that employees are actually more productive when they work shorter days.

In one case, using a time-tracking productivity app called DeskTime, the Draugiem Group conducted an experiment to understand the habits of the most productive employees.

They found that the employees with the highest productivity did not work longer hours than their counterpart. In fact, they did not even work full eight-hour days.

Instead, the most productive employees took a 17-minute break for every 52 minutes of work.

Built in breaks and shorter workdays actually enable employees to be their most productive.

In fact, the reverse is true. Working longer hours can, in fact, lead to greater operational costs and negative health effects, such as sleep deprivation, which can threaten productivity.

Myth # 2 : High Achievers = Great Managers

How often have we seen a superb sales representative being promoted to a sales manager’s role and then failing spectacularly.

“Rajan has surpassed his sales targets 3 years in a row. Let us promote him to Sales Manager!” And 6 months later, “I am afraid we will need to let Rajan go – he is just not up to the task!”

There is a clear difference between performing and managing.

Performance is necessary to be a manager, but not sufficient.

To be high achiever, one needs to bring out the best in oneself. To be a great manager, one needs to be able to understand, interact with and bring the best out of people.

Research has found that managers who don’t have the ability to improve the productivity of their people fail at twice the rate of average-quality managers.

So being a great manager takes more than just being great at your job. You need to understand your people and their capabilities and make them great performers, too.

Myth # 3 : Higher Salaries = Happier Employees

“I think George may be thinking of leaving us. We should increase his salary so that he stays.”

Salary is important.

But salary is not a motivator. It can cause dissatisfaction, but it can never satisfy. It is a ‘hygiene’ factor.

The best research in this area is Frederick Herzberg’s in motivation and hygiene factors, and their impact on morale and productivity.

Herzberg showed that the there are two kinds of factors in the workplace – motivators (satisfying factors) and dissatisfiers (hygiene factors). The proper management of hygiene factors can prevent employee dissatisfaction, but these factors can never serve as a source of motivation.

A good salary, for instance, will keep employees at a job but does not motivate them to work harder. But poor salaries may make employees look elsewhere and quit.

A manager who wants to increase employee satisfaction and happiness needs to focus on the motivators. A job with many satisfying factors will usually motivate workers, provide job satisfaction, and prompt effective performance.

Satisfying factors include recognition, responsibility, advancement, job satisfaction and growth.

Hygiene factors include salary, job security, workplace conditions and supervision.

Myth # 4 : Happy Workplace = Zero Conflict

Most of us believe that workplace disagreements are undesirable.

Such disagreements indicate tension and disconnect, distract team members from doing their jobs, and therefore damage productivity.

But research reveals just the opposite: in many cases, disagreements fuel better performance.

Most workplace disagreements fall into one of two categories:

1. relationship conflicts, which involve personality clashes, and
2. task conflicts, which focus on how work is performed.

Studies indicate that while relationship conflicts are indeed detrimental, task conflicts produce better decisions and stronger financial outcomes.

Healthy debate encourages group members to think more deeply, scrutinize alternatives, and avoid premature consensus.

While many of us view conflict as unpleasant, the experience of open deliberation can actually energize employees by providing them with better strategies for doing their job.

Workplaces that avoid disagreements in an effort to maintain group harmony are doing themselves a disservice. Far better to create an environment in which thoughtful debate is encouraged.

Myth # 5 : Open Plan = More Engagement

“Let us move to an open plan office – that will help our employees engage more and collaborate better!”

Theoretically, open plan offices should encourage more interaction.

With no cubicles or walls to divide staff, open plan offices were originally planned to increase collaboration within teams and workplaces.

But a 2018 study from researchers at Harvard University suggests the design could be counterproductive.

Comparing the experiences of employees at two Fortune 500 companies before and after a move to open plan, the researchers found that face-to-face time between employees decreased by around 70% while the use of email increased in the range of 22-50%.

Why?

One, the drive for increased interaction and collaboration comes at the expense of the ability to focus and concentrate. Continuous distractions make it hard for employees to focus. This results in increasing stress and errors, undermining performance and productivity. This forces employees to work harder and longer; causing them to eschew interaction with others so they can complete their tasks.

Two, engagement and interaction are not products of workspace configuration. They are outcomes of culture, workplace environment, team-structure and role definitions.

Tradition Is Obsolete

Five common workplace myths busted!

By now, you should have realized that these myths have been believed for so many years only because we fell prey to tradition.

“This is how it was always done, so this is how we must continue to do it.”

Break out of that mindset. It is a prison that shackles you and prevents you from innovating and growing.

Look at every myth that you have accepted. Question it. Evaluate it. And then, discard it or embrace it based on the value it brings to your workplace.

What is the myth you want to bust today?

****

Do send your inputs to me, either as a comment or as a PM.

Cheers | Shesh | Singapore | 24 November 2020.

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“What we want is for our ladder to have no broken rungs,” says Tara.

Tara is an assistant marketing manager in an FMCG company. She and I are sitting in a Kopi Tiam at a food court near her office. It is 6:00 PM and the hot chocolate we are sipping is blissful.

“Have you read the latest research by McKinsey and LeanIn.org?” Tara asks. ”It is titled, ‘Women in the Workplace’ and was published about 2 months ago.”

“No, I’m sorry.” I say, “I haven’t.”

“It is very insightful and has explored new frontiers of thought,” says Tara, “and has discovered that the biggest contributor to the gender gap aren’t glass ceilings, but broken rungs!”

“Could you explain ‘broken rungs?’” I ask.

“Yes, this is how it goes. Basically, men and women start on similar career ladders in most developed countries – about 52% of fresh employees are men and 48% are women. So far, so good. But, within 5 years, things change.”

“How?” I ask, curiously.

“Men are promoted faster than women, which results in women holding just 38% of manager-level positions.”

“Wow,” I say, astonished, “from near #parity to a 1:2 split in 5 years!”

FLOORS, RUNGS & CEILINGS

“That’s just the beginning,” says Tara earnestly. “Thereafter, the number of women decreases at every subsequent level. So, even if, at senior levels, promotion rates improve for women, it has little meaning. Women can never catch up. Because there are simply too few women to advance.”

“What happens to the numbers as we go up further the ladder?” I ask.

“By the time we reach senior management, the C-Suite,” says Tara, “only 20% are women. And, on corporate Boards, less than 10%.”

“That is a serious rate of attrition!” I exclaim.

“Yes, and it is really sad,” says Tara. “You must have heard of the “Sticky Floor“. This phenomenon causes women to get stuck at the lowest levels of the corporate hierarchy. There are tons of research that shows that not only are women less likely to be promoted from entry-level jobs, but when they are promoted, they receive less pay than their male counterparts.”

“So many hurdles in a woman’s path!” I say, “Sticky Floors, Broken Rungs and Glass Ceilings.”

“Let me tell you a story,” says Tara, “Of Koyal, a friend of mine who works in another company, which I shall not name.”

ONCE, THERE WAS A LADDER…

“Koyal joined this company about 7 years ago,” Tara starts, “she was a brilliant student, aced her interviews, a real bright star. She joined as a Sales Engineer. She enjoyed her job, she loved the people, was learning at light speed. Every time we met for a coffee or a drink, she was full of energy and enthusiasm.”

“About two years in, a Sales Manager role came vacant,” continues Tara, “and Koyal was sure that the job was hers. She was leading in all metrics – revenues, customer acquisitions, customer satisfaction, margins – and she had no doubt. She put in her application and waited confidently.”

“One Monday morning, Koyal opened her e-mail at office. An announcement caught her eye. She opened it and saw  that the role was given to another Sales Engineer, her batchmate from college who had joined at the same time she had. She was shocked, indeed devastated. This batchmate, George, was good, but nowhere close to her in performance or achievement.”

Tara smiled faintly. “Koyal was no shrinking violet. She grabbed the HR manager and marched into the Sales Director’s room. Why, she asked, had she been overlooked?”

“The Sales Director and the HR Manager were taken aback. They sat Koyal down and explained to her that they had done this for her good. You see, they said, the Sales Manager’s role requires much travel and late nights, and we didn’t feel right to impose these on a young lady.”

…WITH A BROKEN RUNG

I sat entranced, my mouth slightly agape.

“Koyal was shocked. But I never told you that I cannot travel, she said. I never told you that I cannot work late nights or entertain customers! The HR Manager and the Sales Director tried to calm her down. We are more experienced, they said, and we know that women don’t suit such roles and that it can affect your family life. You will understand and appreciate it only later.”

Tara shook her head sadly. “Koyal could not believe this. She appealed to the Sales Director. He agreed that they should have spoken to her first, but now, it was too late. The vacancy had been filled, and she would have to wait for the next one.”

“Koyal’s spirit broke that day. Today, five years have passed and Koyal is now only a Senior Sales Engineer. George is an Assistant General Manager. One misconception and the entire career path of a star performer was derailed…”

“This is so sad,” I say, quietly, “poor thing.”

“Yes, but what is really sad,” says Tara, “is that the HR Manager was a woman. She based her decision on outdated beliefs that women are needed at home and should not travel. Koyal still can’t get over that.”

“So, what should be done, Tara?” I ask, “How do we change this situation?”

“I have thought a lot about this, Shesh,” replies Tara, “and there are 3 steps we can and should take asap.”

1. STOP STEREOTYPING

“The first is to recognise that each person, woman or man, is different,” says Tara. “We cannot paint everyone of a gender or a religion or a community with the same brush. Just like there are some men who prefer not to travel or prefer keeping a low profile, there are women who would love to travel and entertain and lead meetings and initiatives.”

“Okay…” I say, unsurely, “and how do we do this?”

“We have to train hiring managers to remove unconscious bias,” says Tara, ‘many companies are already doing this, and we must make it a Human Capital Management standard across the world. It is proven that people who are trained in recognising bias are much better and fairer in their hiring. Finally, it also makes everyone more aware and more sensitive.”

“That is a great point, Tara!” I exclaim, “Not difficult, not very expensive and implementable immediately!”

2. MAKE EVALUATION CRITERIA OBJECTIVE

“Next, companies must have the right processes in place to prevent bias from creeping into hiring and reviews,” says Tara, “This means having clear evaluation criteria, which are easy to use and designed to gather objective, measurable input.”

“Fair enough,” I say.

“I believe it is much better to use rating scales than open-ended assessments,” continues Tara, “and very important that we evaluate candidates for the same role using the same criteria. Also, research shows that it can help to have a third party in the room when evaluators discuss candidates to encourage objectivity.”

“I agree,” I say.

3. SPONSOR & MENTOR

“Third,” says Tara, leaning forward, “companies must put formal sponsorship and mentoring programs in place. Sadly, Shesh, very few companies do this.”

“You are right” I say, “I have been saying this for quite some time. Mentoring can guide employees in areas that they would normally overlook. Sponsorship can open doors and show employees paths that may be hidden.”

“So few people understand this,” Tara nods, “and this is especially important for women, for introverts, for people who are less assertive.”

“Absolutely,” I say, “formal mentoring programs can make such a huge positive difference. And, sponsorship accelerates career advancement, and make employees feel a sense of engagement.”

“So there you are,” Tara says, “this is what women want – for men and women to stand on the same floor, climb the same ladder and live under the same ceiling.”

I say goodbye and leave the food court. While walking out, I feel a sense of guilt – I went through my career without facing any of the hurdles that millions of women that have had deal with. Where would I be if things had been different? Would I have achieved what I did, or would I be mourning a derailed career?

LEVELLING THE WORKPLACE FLOOR

This is just one of a million similar stories of women in the workplace.

Did you know that –

• Women are far less likely to feel they have an equal opportunity to grow?
• Women are less happy at work than men?

We need to change this situation. What can we do? Take Tara’s advice –

• Recognise and remove unconscious bias
• Implement robust, objective recruitment and evaluation systems
• Set up sponsorship and mentoring programs

We spend much of our lives in our workplaces. Help make them fair and equitable. Level the floors, fix the ladders,  and raise the ceilings for everyone…

Do you want to transform your work environment? Then, don’t just click ‘like’. Share your views, your criticisms, your comments and your disagreements. Let us start a movement that will shatter past practices and paradigms and lead the way to a better world.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 21 January 2020)

*****

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Broken rungs; broken rungs

“What women want is for the workplace to be gender-aware,” says Hannah.

Hannah is a lawyer. Her office is in Singapore’s Central Business District, in a swanky office building. We sit in a conference room which I am sure has seen and heard many grievances being aired.

“People talk about needing to be gender-blind,” Hannah continues, leaning forward. “I don’t understand this. How can we be gender-blind? Men and women are different in so many ways. We need to recognize and accommodate these differences.”

“That is a fair point,” I say, while noting the term, ‘gender-aware’. “Could you give me an example?”

“I can give you many!” Hannah says, smiling, “but let’s focus on one for today.” 

A Cold Shoulder

“Let’s start with office temperatures. I don’t know if you are aware, but there is something called “Standard 55”, which is a set of guidelines created for indoor climate regulation. Most offices are designed to comply with Standard 55.”

“Wow! I didn’t know that!” I exclaim.

“Well,” Hannah continues, “then you also did not know that this standard was developed in the 1950s based on the comfort of a 40-year old, 70 kg man in a business suit.”

“Really?” This Hannah evidently knew much more than torts and claims!

“Yes. But what this standard does not take into account is the difference between men and women. Men expend more energy while at rest, and thus run warmer. Women have higher core temperatures, and cold air is jarring and uncomfortable. Also, men’s office wear tends to be warmer – ties, jackets, etc.; women’s office wear is lighter – skirts and dresses.”

“You know, this explains a lot!” I say. “In the offices that I worked, I would see the women wearing sweaters and shawls. It always seemed strange, because I did not feel cold at all.”

“And what did you do about it?” Hannah asks teasingly. “Nothing, I am sure!”

“Well…” I began, suddenly feeling the office temperature becoming uncomfortable.

“That’s the problem” Hannah sighs, waving her finger at me. “No awareness of how the other gender feels!”

A Win-Win-Win Outcome

“But, it’s not just about comfort,” she continues, “there is research that shows that colder temperatures in offices lead to increased illnesses among women, causing their productivity to drop. Also, a recent study proves that women perform cognitive tasks better in warmer conditions than in colder environments.”

“Wow!” I said again, “I did not know that!” I was repeating myself, like a parrot.

“And finally, given the global concern on climate change, the University of Sydney has calculated that bringing workplace temperatures up by 2 degrees will save upto 30% in energy consumption!”

Hannah’s words were forming an amazing picture. “So, you are saying that a slightly warmer workplace will lead to healthier women, higher output and lower costs and environmental impact?”

“Yes,” she says, leaning back, having made her points.

“Then, then…why has no one done anything about this?” I sputter.

“Because the world is not gender-aware. You have been a professional for 35 years and much of what I said is news to you! So, this is what I want – that shareholders and managers become more gender-aware; so that all of us together can accrue the amazing benefits from being so.”

As I walked to the MRT, Hannah’s words played on my mind, as did Sheryl Sandberg‘s famous words,

“We cannot change what we are not aware of; and once we are aware, we cannot help but change…”

Afterword

Isn’t it amazing? Just changing the temperature in offices by 2 degrees can lead to so many benefits –

1. More comfort
2. Better health
3. Increased productivity
4. Lower costs
5. Reduced environmental impact

Why was I blind for so many years?

I have to live with regret…

But to all you leaders and future leaders, you can do things differently. Please take a moment to speak to your women colleagues and listen to them. Appreciate the challenges they face and address them. You will not just change their lives, you will create a workplace that is happier, healthier and more productive. You will leave a lasting legacy.

If you want to transform your workplace, click like, and share.

Please share your own experiences. Together, let us start a movement that will shatter past practices and paradigms and make us aware of the better world that awaits us.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 10 December 2019)

*****

Post Script :

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NO RESTRICTIONS ON VEGETABLES!

“What we want is understanding and respect,” says Wendy. “Most men labour under ridiculous misconceptions about women, which they are fed by their families, communities and by populist TV programs.”

Wendy is a 34-year old manager with an engineering firm. She leads of team of 11 professionals to provide engineering designs to their customers.

“Why smart, educated men so easily accept and perpetuate senseless and illogical myths and delusions, I can never understand!” Wendy throws her hands up in frustration.

“Just look at this,” she says, typing rapidly on her laptop. She turns the screen to me. “Read this and tell me what you think!”

The 2011 Daily Telegraph article reads :

“CLERIC REPORTEDLY WARNS WOMEN NOT TO HANDLE CUCUMBERS AND BANANAS”

A religious cleric living in Europe reportedly warned women not to get too close to bananas, cucumbers or other produce to avoid having “sexual thoughts.”

The unnamed cleric, whose directive was featured in an article in a religious publication, said that if women wanted to eat these foods, a third party – preferably a male related to them, such as their father or husband – should cut the items into small pieces before serving.

According to the cleric, bananas and cucumbers could arouse women and make them think of sex.

Carrots and zucchini also were added to the cleric’s list of forbidden foods for women.

I looked up at her. Actually, I couldn’t look at her in the eye.

“So?” she challenges.

“I don’t know what to say,” I say, weakly. “Not all men think like this…”

“Of course, I know that!” Wendy shoots back impatiently, “but many do, and their words and insinuations spread like wildfire and taint and poison us!”

“Also,” she continued, “My frustration is not about just one misogynist man spouting nonsense. It is that there are hundreds and thousands like this in all shapes, sizes and colours! Either ‘women are weak’, or ‘women must know their place’, or ‘she is a bitch’, or ‘she is a slut’!”

“Every time I think I know what women go through, I realise that I am not even close.” I say.

WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY!

“You got that right!” she says. “I know you are a seasoned professional, but you haven’t experienced a fraction of what women do. Everything I have expressed is just one grain of sand on an infinitely long beach. And this kind of ‘women are inferior’ attitude impacts us in many ways!”

“One, we make less money for the same work!”

“Two, we pay more money for the same products!”

“Three, we are under-represented in business and government and have no say in most important decisions!”

“I can go on for a long time, but you know all this, Shesh.” Wendy slumps back in her chair.

“I do, Wendy, I do.” I say, earnestly, “The only way to change this unhealthy paradigm is to turn the spotlight on it. People need to know and understand what women go through.”

“I agree,” Wendy says, her face anguished. “It is time that women are recognised for who we are and what we can do. Fifty years ago, Mao Tse Tung said, ‘Women hold up half the sky’. Fifty years later, we are still held down by the glass ceiling and by misogynist men who call us weak and gullible and incapable.”

“Let’s work together to change this, Wendy,” I say, “Let’s stand up and tell the world what women really want.”

“I’ll tell you what I want,” Wendy says, with a sharp glint in her eye, “I want a woman in this cleric’s family to slice his cucumber into small pieces and feed it to him!”

With this disturbing image in mind, I hold my briefcase protectively in front of me, and leave Wendy’s office…

AFTERWORD

We need to break from the chains of the past and create a future that is inclusive and equal and fair.

Don’t stay silent. Please share your views, your criticisms, your comments and your disagreements. Let us start a movement that will shatter past practices and paradigms and lead the way to a better world.

Even the smallest action can make a huge difference in a workplace. What have you done to transform your workplace? Share it in the comments and inspire others!

If you support workplace diversity and inclusion, do like and share the article with those who may benefit from it.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 26 November 2019)

Post Script :

1. For other interesting CEO Chronicles, click here.
2. Follow me so that you don’t miss the next issue of CEO Chronicles.

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