A strong sense of fairness linked to greater awareness and advocacy of gender equality
Why do some men support gender diversity in leadership while others do not? Catalyst examines this question through a new body of research evaluating men’s involvement with gender diversity in a report released today titled, Engaging Men In Gender Initiatives: What Change Agents Need To Know. The study provides unparalleled insight into men’s advocacy for gender equality at work.
Bringing men into the conversation of diversity is in a company’s best interest and is paramount to creating equality in business leadership. “The preponderance of men in leadership means their efforts are necessary to advance change in the workplace,” said Ilene H. Lang, President & Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst. “Research continues to show that diversity well-managed yields more innovation and is tied to enhanced financial performance—factors good for all employees.”
When asked about what keeps men from supporting gender initiatives, some men who were interviewed for the study pointed to a “zero-sum” mentality—a belief that gains for women necessarily mean losses for men. Companies may inadvertently encourage this line of thinking by instituting practices that increase competition between employees and put the focus on the individual first above the organization as a whole. A shift away from this “win or lose” mentality to a recognition that everybody benefits from gender equality can lead men to become greater advocates of change.
See full Press Release.
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