Saying It Like It Isn’t: Mixed Messages From Men and Women in the Workplace1 DEBI

Participants in a simulated work environment were exposed to I of 4 feedback conditions that varied in verbal and nonverbal positivity (positive contentlpositive tone, positive contenvnegative tone, negative contentlpositive tone, or negative contentlnegative tone). Either a male or a female supervisor provided this feedback. Results indicate that both productivity and general work satisfaction varied by feedback condition and gender. For example, female subordinates reported higher rates of satisfaction to positive contentlnegative tone messages and male subordinates reported higher rates of satisfaction to negative contentlpositive tone messages. Additionally, the productivity of male subordinates with male supervisors appeared to be distinctly influenced by positive tone relative to all other dyadic compositions. These results demonstrate the importance of examining both verbal and nonverbal components of feedback messages, along with the gender of the supervisor and subordinate.