Problem solving is different on Mars and Venus. Men tend to misunderstand women's relationship oriented problem solving style because they judge them according to the Martian ethos of: Doing it on your own. So if Beth is working on an assignment. She come into to her boss Jim's office. She describes to Jim the problems with the project and asks Jim what he thinks she should do. Jim offers her his answer. Beth agrees that it is a good answer and leaves. Jim thinks that he provided the answer very easily. Why couldn't Beth come up with on her own? Perhaps she is not as smart or effective as he thought she was.

What Jim needs to know is that Beth already knew the answer. On Venus it is important to share and discuss problems and then ask what the other person thinks. On Venus it is important to help the other person feel included. So Beth does just that.

Jim needs to keep this Venusian culture in mind when evaluating Beth. Also he can do the following things to clarify the situation

1) When Beth asks him for his opinion/solution, Jim should say, "Before I comment, I want to hear what you have come up with."

2) Jim can also let Beth know that he knows she wants to be inclusive and collaborative with him. The best way that she can do that is to make sure that she present her ideas and solutions to him so he knows what she can do on her own so he can properly give her credit.

For more information or to E-mail Dr Schwarz you can go to at MarsVenusatWork@AOL.com or call 610-642-0884



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