By: Odessa “OJ” Jenkins
Photo: Igor Omilaev
Michelle Travis….as they say here in the south “Woooo Chyle!” I am still sitting with some of the revelations that were conjured up after reading the latest Forbes Article on solving gender inequities in the workplace.
The article details the pitfalls of hustle culture, particularly its impact on women at work. As someone deeply invested in advocating for equitable work practices, I felt compelled to amplify and reinforce the argument with my long standing belief in the necessity of a flexible workweek and valuing efficiency as much as we value sheer grind.
Let’s get down to it. The American work culture is obsessed with the grind, and never-ending hustle. As as a football coach, I absolutely understand the nostalgia that you feel when you can see your people “breaking a sweat.” But, we know well in sports, all performance is not created equal, and just because you get up the more shots or have the most attempts, does not mean that you are bringing the team the most value. And who’s paying the price for this cultural mishap at work? Women. This isn’t just talk; it’s backed by hard facts.
Here’s the deal: a recent study from the University of Connecticut has thrown a spotlight on a harsh reality. Women are caught in a double bind. If they don’t overwork, they’re not seen as dedicated. If they do, they still don’t get the same recognition or rewards as men. The culture of equating long hours with commitment and competence is flawed and disproportionately harms women.
The research highlighted by Travis, provides a stark illustration of despite equal or greater efficiency, women do not receive the same recognition or rewards as their male counterparts who log in more hours. This discrepancy isn’t just unfair; it’s a reflection of deep-rooted gender biases that undervalue women’s contributions and question their competence at work.
So, what’s the solution? We need to radically shift our perception of what productive work and leadership looks like. It’s high time we ditched the antiquated measure of success based solely on hours logged and embraced a more results-oriented approach. After all, the impact of your work should be the measure of your success, not how long you spent at your desk, on zoom or in slack. I’m not talking about the vaunted “work/life balance” debate. I’m talking about valuing what happens when people are working and engaging.
Building a culture that understands efficiency over hours requires clear goal setting, communication and ability to empower others to meet goals in the ways that suit them best. This is why it is critical to invest HEAVILY in training and equipping your leaders with these core skills.
While the findings presented in the Forbes article are concerning, they are not insurmountable. With concerted efforts to shift our workplace cultures towards valuing efficiency and impact, we can begin to dismantle the barriers that hold women back. It’s time for organizations to step up, challenge the status quo, and embrace a paradigm of work that values quality over quantity, results over hours, and equity over outdated norms.