Unstereotyping Mindsets

How does gender affect one’s professional life? At a Unilever Philippines conference, three female leaders share their answers.

- Gaby Ignacio

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN AT WORK?

Leena Nair (LN): All men are different, and all women are different. If I were to generalize, one of the differences is the ability to express ambition—much easier for a man, harder for a woman. When a woman is presenting, she will say “we” and take less credit for herself. When a man comes in to present, he will say “I.” And definitely with money and rewards, the men negotiate far better than the women!

Lynette Ortiz (LO): I don’t know if it’s been ingrained in us that we need to be liked, and that to be liked, we have to downplay ambition lest we be perceived as rapacious, too hungry—qualities that are admired in a man.