Role; *Sex Stereotypes IDENTIFIERS *Communicator Style

Despite the,increase in the number of women entering the work force, the organizational setting is not typically conducive to upward mobility for most women. According to a variety of research studies, the impact of sex role stereotyping clearly suggests a set of communication behaviors appropriate for male managers and a different set appropriate for female managers. Assertive communication is a style that permits honest expression of feelings and needs in a nonthreatening way, in contrast to passive or aggressive communication styles. While increased assertiveness leads-to increased self-esteem in women, and most proponents of assertive behavtor consider this style essential to upward mobility for women, some research suggests that assertive behavior may be received more positively when exhibited by males. Wh2n determining a communication style strategy, a woman might first consider the communication style of the supervisor and of the other men and women working in the organization. She might-also consider the support system within the organization, because it is difficult to break norms in a work setting until approximately 30 % of the work force has made the behavioral change. While assertive behavior may be a long range goal, it may be dolihter---;:prOductive at the outset of a job. (HTH) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document