The article discusses 'likability labour,' a phenomenon where women in the workplace feel immense pressure to be perceived as likable. A report titled 'Shapeshifters' reveals that 56% of women, as opposed to 36% of men, struggle with this expectation. Women often balance traditional virtuesâcompetence, warmth, authorityâwith expectations of agreeability, leading them to modify their behavior and language. This pressure is linked to emotional exhaustion and stifles innovation, as holding back true opinions and conforming to likability norms detracts from female employees' authenticity and potential in the workplace.
Women are expected to balance competence with warmth, assertiveness with agreeability, and combine authority with overt humility, leading to increased pressure to be liked.
The report highlights that 56% of women feel the pressure to be likable at work, compared to only 36% of men, showing a significant gender disparity.
This likability labour doesn't pay; it drains creative energy, muffles innovation, and punishes authenticity, suggesting harmful implications for women's professional growth.
Many women hold back their true opinions in order to be liked, with 50% admitting they filter their expressions compared to 35% of men.
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