Saying It Like It Isn't: Mixed Messages From Men and Women in the Workplace1

Abstract

Participants in a simulated work environment were exposed to 1 of 4 feedback conditions that varied in verbal and nonverbal positivity (positive content/positive tone, positive content/negative tone, negative content/positive tone, or negative content/negative tone). Either a male or a female supervisor provided this feedback. Results indicate that both productivity and general work satisfaction varied by feedback condition and gender. For example, female subordinates reported higher rates of satisfaction to positive content/negative tone messages and male subordinates reported higher rates of satisfaction to negative content/positive tone messages. Additionally, the productivity of male subordinates with male supervisors appeared to be distinctly influenced by positive tone relative to all other dyadic compositions. These results demonstrate the importance of examining both verbal and nonverbal components of feedback messages, along with the gender of the supervisor and subordinate.