The document discusses the changing nature of organizations and workforces. It notes that organizations have shifted from command-and-control structures to being more information and knowledge-based. The new workforce is also more specialized and resistant to strict hierarchy. Additionally, the document examines perceived differences between masculine and feminine attributes and thinking styles. It also outlines challenges faced by working women, such as facing higher standards than men and pressure to prioritize family over career. Finally, the document argues for respecting gender differences and developing corporate cultures that accommodate both work and personal life.

1. Apr 30, 2013 1
Identity of a Woman
through Work
Symposium on Emerging Issues of Working Women in
Occupational Health
22-23 April 06,Mumbai
The Indian Association of Occupational Health
Sukanya Patwardhan

2. Apr 30, 2013 2
Scope of Discussion..
 Organizations Today
 Characteristics of the Workforce
Today
 Gender differences – the Research
 Psychological aspects of the
challenges
 Probable solutions

3. Apr 30, 2013 3
Journey of
Organizations
 Organization of command & control
 Organization of departments &
divisions
 Information based organizations
i.e. organizations of knowledge
specialists.

4. Apr 30, 2013 4
Paradigm Shift in
Business
 Competition is Global
 Competencies are Global
 Outsourcing is Global

5. Apr 30, 2013 5
Industries of the Modern
World
 Entertainment
 Hospitality/tourism
 Bioinformatics /Biotechnology
 Corporate Communications
 Healthcare
 Infrastructure Engineering
 Supply Chain Management
 Customer relationship Management
 Information Technology
 Telecom
 IT enabled services
 Spiritual services ( Ashrams & Communes etc)

6. Apr 30, 2013 6
Characteristics of new
Organizations
 Information based & customer driven.
 Speed gives the competitive advantage;
Implementation speed is critical.
 Knowledge is becoming more
specialized & organizations are keen to
retain knowledge.

7. Apr 30, 2013 7
Business Focus
 Speed of operations
 Quality
 Cost
 Delivery
 Service
 Innovation

8. Apr 30, 2013 8
Characteristics of
New Workforce
 Employment is moving to knowledge
workers who resist command &
control.
 Run more like a symphony/ orchestra
composed mainly of specialists.
 The specialists are more at the bottom
who direct their own work.

9. Apr 30, 2013 9
What do customers
want?
 Value for Money
 Ease of operations (products,company
etc.)
 Service with a Smile
 Catering to implicit needs

10. Apr 30, 2013 10
Successful
Organizations
 Understand that the success lies in being
a value – added & service based.
 Do not defend the past, instead take a
level headed look at the present & future
customer needs.
 Establish more effective ways to build
strong present & future with customers.

11. Apr 30, 2013 11
Attributes Perceived by the
Society
Masculine values
 Aggression
 Control & ruthless
 Dictatorship
 Dominance
 Reaching the top
Feminine values
 Encouraging team
work
 Collaboration
 Interdependence
 Patience,caring
 Taking orders &
execution

12. Apr 30, 2013 12
Brain Thinking Styles
 Left Brain
This mode includes
concise, efficient
processing with
realistic, disciplined
and orderly
approaches
 Right Brain
This mode includes
intuitive, perceptive,
thinking, idealistic,
expressive and open
approaches.

13. Apr 30, 2013 13
Thinking Preferences
Ref: HBDI ( Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument)
Left Brain ( upper ) Men
Problem solving
Analytical
Technical
Mathematical
Logical
Right Brain ( Upper)
Artistic
Big Picture / Vision
Imaginative
Synthesizing
Conceptualizing
Left Brain ( Upper)
Organisational
Administrative
Conservative
Planning
Right Brain ( Lower) Women
Interpersonal
Emotional
Musical
Spiritual
Talker

14. Apr 30, 2013 14
Professions Mapping
Left Brain
Scientific
Technical
Financial
Legal
Right Brain
Troubleshooting
Artistic
Strategic
Entrepreneurial
Developmental
Accounting
Supervisory
Administrative
Implementing
Expressive
Educational
Social/Helping
Supportive
Customer service

15. Apr 30, 2013 15
Facts Women Face…
 Women are constantly compared with Men.
 Women are expected to be chaste and modest
in all actions.
 How can women be ruthless even when it is
necessary?
 If a man is kind hearted, he is generous and
noble.
 Women have to work harder to receive the same
benefits as men.Men are preferred for
promotions.
 Home makers are demonstration of family
values and symbol of financial security.

16. Apr 30, 2013 16
Facts Women Face…
 Perception that her work would surely cost
her family’s ( specially kids’) happiness.
 If she is working, the family is giving her an
opportunity to work, husband & others are
making a sacrifice.
 Her interest in her looks is intended to take
advantage at work and from men.
 Her expressing concern about her family,
children and emotional issues is not
suitable at work.
 A man is more acceptable as a boss
than a woman.(to men and women)

17. Apr 30, 2013 17
What do Men and Women
really want?
 87% Men say their work
is the most important thing
in their life.
 20% women said they were interested in
actually being a career woman.
 80% women put raising their children in
traditional families at their top priority list.
 Many career women say
they work for money and
most of these live in cities
where two incomes are critical.

18. Apr 30, 2013 18
Sense of Self..
 A man’s sense of self is
defined by his through
ability to achieve results.
 A woman’s sense of self is
defined through her feelings
and quality of her relationships.

19. Apr 30, 2013 19
Coping with stress
 To feel better, men go to their shells
to solve problems alone.
 To feel better, women get together
and openly talk about their
problems and discuss about
solutions.

20. Apr 30, 2013 20
Overcoming Challenges …
 It is not enough to ask for a woman’s equality
vis-à-vis the men in the society/community.
 It does not take a woman very far even if she
becomes equal to a man who himself is
burdened with his own challenges.
 It is necessary to have a just and equitable
atmosphere – for women and men both with an
approach of Emancipation / Liberation.

21. Apr 30, 2013 21
Finally….
 When men and women are able to Respect and Accept
their differences, then better and constructive
environment can develop faster.
 When we Understand the origins of these differences, we
not only find it easier to live with them, we can manage,
appreciate and end up cherishing them too.
 Corporate cultures need to be based on understanding
these differences and develop the ability to combine work
with family and personal life for women & men.

22. Apr 30, 2013 22
Thank you
 All questions are Welcome..

23. Apr 30, 2013 23