I shouldn’t have to try hard to fit in: A discursive analysis of wome...

Coffee-Talk zum Tag der Geschlechterforschungmit Eva-Maria Graf am 5.12.2023: 

Gendered organizations typically create a climate where womenare not assumed to quite fit and are thus expected to be not as competent asmen. This creates increased pressure on women not only to perform according tothe prescribed policies and regulations, but very often to work beyond what isexpected of them. The question remains whether such (over-)performance sufficesfor these women to develop a sense of felt inclusion and to be recognized aslegitimate members of the organization. This talk unpacks the complexity of howwomen’s performance is perceived and received in highly gendered masculineorganizations. The data sets consist of interviews with U.S. military women anddyadic coaching interactions between a coach and female leaders working intechnology and reinsurance business. Our analysis reveals a problematic(self-)perception and reception of women’s (over-)performance that may havereal-life consequences for their careers.