Synopsis
John Gray claims that by understanding the differences between men and women in the workplace anyone can identify and respond to various business approaches in a manner that earns greater respect and promotes increased cooperation. By recognizing how men and women interpret behaviors and reactions differently, a person can make more informed choices about how to make the best impression.
Mars and Venus in the Workplace analyzes the differences in the ways men and women communicate, solve problems, react to stress, earn respect, promote themselves, experience emotional support, minimize conflict, score points, and ask for what they want. By showing the many ways men and women misunderstand and misinterpret each other in the workplace, John Gray offers practical advice on reducing unnecessary conflict and frustration. Filled with his trademark communications charts and practical advice on everyday office issues, Mars and Venus in the Workplace will enable readers to achieve their goals and make the workplace a source of fulfillment.
Publishers Weekly
Gray made a splash with his bestselling Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, attributing stereotypical traits to each gender and advising the other how best to respond to or work around these characteristics. Building on that theory, Gray claims that "men and women think, feel, and communicate differently in the workplace," and applies his hypothesis to the business environment. As in his previous books, Gray's writing style is repetitive, bolstering a few simple ideas with plenty of generalizing and gender clich s. While alleging that the traits he assigns to men and women are innate rather than learned or cultural describing them as driven by "instinct," "basic nature" and "a function of one's level of testosterone" he offers no proof of this theory, simply assuming that his audience trusts his presumptions. Many of Gray's sweeping statements don't ring true, e.g., his assertions that men don't mind being interrupted while women do, or that women care about relationships, not competence, where they work. Gray does offer some generic, useful advice, such as keeping personal emotions out of the workplace while making sure that one's personal life provides stress relief and opportunities for self-expression. In identifying common personality types and traits, though, Gray might have simply said that some people are Venusians while others are Martians, instead of using tiresome gender stereotypes. While he's unlikely to win new converts with this rehash of his now familiar material, Gray's faithful fans will not be disappointed. Agent, Linda Michaels. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.