Asking for What You Want: Appreciating Differences

One critical aspect of women's negotiating for what they want is appreciating the perspective
of others so as to create mutual understanding. By working from a framework of understanding,
it is far easier to arrive at collaborative decisions that meet the needs of all.

 

Today more and more research has identified differences in how men and women think.
By understanding these differences, in a co-creative framework, it is easier to develop more effective
solutions.  The "Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women" workshops, developed by Alison Armstrong,

has helped many women to appreciate and identifying these differences in a practical way.

 

For example, Alison Armstrong (2008) refers to one of the differences as single focus vs. diffuse awareness.  She says women are more likely to have a diffuse awareness and scan the environment for relationship information. Men, on the other hand, often are more focused on the task at hand.  This, often can create confusion and misunderstanding.  For example, if we assume there is only one way of viewing the world, women would think "Men just don't get relationships."  On the other hand, men can think, "Women talk to much, they don't get to the point."

 

Alternatively if we appreciate and understand the differences, we can use them to create
collaborative solutions.  Women bring in the relationship information, while men contribute
focus.  Of course, this can vary depending on the situation and the unique strengths of all of the
individuals participating.

 

Would you like to learn more about these differences? We are fortunate to have one of the leaders of the Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women program give us a taste of this difference in a complementary tele-seminar giving us a taste of this difference. You may listen to the replay with Dr. Farmer speaking on Single Focus and Diffuse Awareness.

 

Armstrong, Alison.  Making Sense of Men.  Sherman Oaks, CA:  Pax Programs, Inc. 2008

 

 

 

Comments

[NitaLINDSEY30]

I would like to propose not to hold off until you earn big sum of cash to order goods! You can just take the home loans or car loan and feel fine

[business loans]

If you are willing to buy real estate, you would have to get the personal loans. Furthermore, my brother usually takes a college loan, which supposes to be the most reliable.