This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
June 11, 2020
ASK HR: Breaking Down Barriers with Male Colleagues ¶
As a sales professional, you're likely no stranger to rejection. However, when it comes from your own colleagues, it can be particularly challenging to navigate. A female sales team member reached out to us, feeling excluded from informal gatherings with her male colleagues, and seeking advice on how to address the issue and gain their acceptance.
According to Jane Muiruri, Senior HR Manager at Nation Media Group, people tend to associate with those who share similar beliefs, values, and backgrounds. This phenomenon is known as affinity bias, and it can lead to unconscious or conscious prejudices. In this case, the female sales team member suspects that gender bias may be at play.
So, how can she break down these barriers and gain the acceptance of her male colleagues? Muiruri advises against confronting them directly, instead suggesting that she seek to understand their interests and values. By doing so, she can determine whether their interests align with her own and potentially find common ground.
One way to approach this is to ask a colleague with whom she has a good rapport to join her in one of their informal gatherings. By observing their reaction and body language, she can gauge their willingness to include her in their social circle.
It's also essential to focus on building her sales skills and earning the respect of her colleagues. By doing so, she can demonstrate her value to the team and potentially gain their acceptance in the social sphere.
Ultimately, if she's unable to gain acceptance from her male colleagues, Muiruri suggests exploring other professional networks and opportunities. This can provide her with valuable insights and connections that can help her advance in her career.
— Jane Muiruri, Senior HR Manager, Nation Media Group
