Aug 29, 2021
Gender researchers often discuss the differences between agentic and communal language and behaviours. To be agentic is to be confident and decisive; to be communal is to be warm and helpful. In many countries, including seemingly progressive ones, men are still perceived as more agentic, while women continue to be viewed as more communal. This feeds into persistent ideas about women, particularly women of colour, being less suited for leadership. Much of the language around leadership (and certain types of jobs) inclines towards agency – sending, intended or not, a gender-coded message about who the ideal candidate is.
Christine Ro, ‘The coded language that holds women back at work’, BBC