Sexual behavior is often considered taboo to discuss in most professional settings.
It can greatly impact how people perceive each other's competence, credibility, and influence. When someone exhibits sexual behaviors at work, they are judged differently than those who don't. This article will explore why this happens and offer advice on how individuals can manage their reputations while still expressing themselves authentically.
Let's define what sexualized behaviors are. Sexualized behavior refers to any action that has an explicit sexual connotation, such as making suggestive comments or gestures, touching another person inappropriately, or dressing provocatively. It can also include more subtle actions like flirting or displaying personal items related to sex. These behaviors tend to be gendered, meaning women are expected to behave modestly and conservatively while men are encouraged to act assertively and aggressively.
The perception of these behaviors varies depending on the context. In some cultures, open displays of sexuality are accepted and even celebrated, while others consider them highly inappropriate.
The person's position within the organization matters.
A senior executive is more likely to be viewed positively for engaging in sexual behaviors than a junior employee would be.
When someone engages in sexualized behavior, it changes the way colleagues view their competence, credibility, and influence. People who demonstrate sexual prowess may appear confident, dominant, and charismatic. They may also be seen as powerful and attractive. On the flip side, those who show restraint or indifference may seem boring or lackluster. This can lead to unfair treatment based on perceived traits rather than actual abilities.
There is evidence that suggests that this effect is not universal. A study found that when both genders exhibit sexual behaviors at work, they were judged equally negatively by male and female peers. Interestingly, being gay or lesbian seemed to enhance one's professional reputation, regardless of how much they displayed sexualized behaviors. These findings suggest that sexual identity plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of competence, credibility, and influence.
It's important to remember that sexualized behaviors do not always reflect an individual's true character or skills. People may engage in them to gain social approval or attention, which could potentially backfire if they don't deliver results. Therefore, it's essential to balance expressing oneself authentically with maintaining a positive professional image. One way to do this is to practice self-awareness and consider whether your actions are appropriate given the situation. It's also crucial to avoid making assumptions about others based solely on their appearance or demeanor.
Sexualized behaviors should not be discouraged entirely but should be used wisely to build relationships and accomplish goals without compromising one's integrity. By understanding how others might perceive these behaviors and managing them appropriately, individuals can increase their chances of success while still staying true to themselves.
How do sexualized behaviors modify perceptions of competence, credibility, and influence among colleagues?
A study on this topic found that sexualized behaviors at work can lead to an unfavorable impression of a coworker's professional abilities and performance (Kenney et al. , 2019). Specifically, female employees who exhibit sexually provocative behaviors may be perceived as less competent and less committed to their job than those who don't engage in such behavior.