How to overcome gender stereotype threat?

Working as a woman in a male-dominated field can lead to stress due to gender stereotype threat and can thereby hinder success and participation at work. A Canadian study offers two promising interventions based on listening to quotes regarding social belonging and affirmation. The interventions eliminated grade point average differences between men and women, and resulted in a higher confidence of women in their abilities to cope with stressors as well as a more optimistic attitude regarding future success.

Walton, G. M., Logel, C., Peach, J. M., Spencer, S. J., & Zanna, M. P. (2015). Two Brief Interventions to Mitigate a "Chilly Climate" Transform Women's Experience, Relationships, and Achievement in Engineering. Journal of Educational Psychology, 107(2), 468-485, doi:10.1037/a0037461.

Training in Emotional Intelligence can be useful for employees

While the Emotional Intelligence (EI) concept is often looked at as an unnecessary hocus-pocus in the work context, researchers from Bulgaria now argue for the usefulness of trainings aimed at the development of EI for employees. Especially in change management, EI trainings for employees can help overcoming defenses, providing self-awareness, and igniting the process of the self-regulation of motivation; factors that are of utmost importance for organizations aiming for change.

EAWOP in Practice

Who receives the most promotions? Recommendations from career research

There exist several factors that affect the number of received promotions. However, the largest impact is due to hours worked, social capital, career sponsorship, training opportunities, extraversion, and proactivity, according to a meta-analysis about predictors of career success. To receive a promotion you should therefore be engaged and motivated for your work, build up powerful networks of supporters, develop your skills, and be outgoing, anticipatory, and self-initiated.

Personnel Psychology