Final answer:
Deborah Tannen states that men and women have different communication styles in the workplace, influenced by gender, with men often speaking to assert status and women aiming to create rapport. Recent studies challenge biological explanations for these patterns, highlighting culture's role.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Talking from Nine to Five, Deborah Tannen states that men and women have different communication styles in the workplace. This concept reflects broader research implying that gender may influence communication styles, with men often using conversation to assert status and women using it to build connections. This aligns with the findings of Tannen's research which observed that men tend to use an authoritative, report-based communication style, whereas women are more inclined to engage in conversational rapport.
However, the notion that these differences are biologically inherent has been contested, with researchers like Janet Hyde and others demonstrating that these patterns are not universally fixed and can be culturally relative. Additionally, as women assume more leadership roles, studies show that gender differences in leadership styles are less pronounced, suggesting that factors such as organizational culture play a significant role. Notably, open communication and professional communication and etiquette are crucial for all individuals in the workplace, irrespective of gender, facilitating efficiency and better coworker relationships.