A new study from Harvard Business School highlights the benefits of having more women in managerial roles in the workplace.
The study emphasizes that poor communication between managers and employees can lead to reduced productivity and customer dissatisfaction. However, it found that female managers are particularly effective at building rapport within mixed-gender teams, resulting in better organizational performance and higher employee retention.
Researchers at Harvard Business School analyzed data from a fast-food chain in Colombia. They discovered that cisgender men managed other men well, and cisgender women managed other women well. However, in mixed-gender teams, women “outshined” men in fostering rapport by creating optimal schedules, advocating for workers’ interests, and setting and achieving goals.
The researchers note that women are underrepresented in management positions across most industries. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that increasing the number of women in leadership roles can enhance productivity.
