Talkability

Chapter 55

Men and women at work

(‘report’ or ‘rapport’?)

Extensive research has been conducted, mainly over the last 25 years, into communication between the sexes in the workplace and, in many cases, the effects of two different linguistic styles.

Deborah Tannen, a sociolinguist from Georgetown University, Washington DC, is an expert in the field and her research findings conducted in workplace settings showed that, in most instances:

• women may use words to ‘connect’ and to express feelings or build rapport
• men’s talk is often about sharing facts and figures, as in a report.

This same reasoning might explain why men and women often handle situations of conflict differently. Women may avoid conflict to maintain closeness (rapport), whereas ...