THE ALCHEMIST ABOUT TOWN

People stuff

Is sisterhood alive or dead?

Pic from www.emanuel.org

The opportunities to progress into leadership roles are few and far between ; furthermore we find ourselves in a world where traditional roles and opportunities are put in question by technology and, as we continue to digitise more and more, there will be fewer and fewer roles for all.

In this climate, is competition between women more and more fierce?

The answer perhaps can be found in our instinctive animal behaviours
which trigger in us the fight for survival.

Pic from phsychlopedia.wikispaces.com

Scarcity has a direct impact on human behaviour; if opportunities or resources are limited and demand is high, genetic programming can trigger behaviours intended to give us an advantage in the battle for survival (or those limited opportunities). The Dominance theory is all about preferential access to opportunities and resources over someone else, dominance is held through competitive behaviour.

The sub dominant animal is critical to the relationship in this theory as it is the ones that maintains the dominance relationship.

In a corporate context we need to consider this theory especially on what it might drive in terms of initiatives on gender balance in the workplace.
Tackling behaviours is important , together with ensuring that the supply of opportunities is sufficient so that dominance is less of an issue.
This is about the fight for survival and resources and the supply lies at the heart of the situation.

Then again if we suggest that women should win more roles, it somehow implies that more men need to lose and more than ever before.
And the dominance theory would start all over again...