SEXUALIZED PERCEPTION IN TEAMS
Sexualization can be defined as an exaggeration of a physical feature that is often associated with gender or sensual attraction to others for some sort of benefit, such as power or popularity. It has been studied extensively in social sciences since it was first brought up in the 1970s.
Researchers have mostly focused on individuals rather than groups. Only recently have scholars started studying how this phenomenon affects teamwork. This article explores the impact of sexualized perception on cohesion, collaboration, and collective identity in teams through three main arguments. Firstly, sexualized perception creates a tension between individual and group interests, leading to conflict and a lack of trust. Secondly, sexualization leads to misunderstandings and miscommunications about roles and responsibilities, which hinders productivity. Thirdly, sexualized perception can alter the meaning of personal relationships within teams, thus changing their dynamics. Let's take a closer look at these points.
Cohesion
Cohesion refers to the degree to which members feel connected to each other and are willing to work together to achieve common goals. Sexualized perceptions can threaten this by creating distractions and reducing attention to tasks.
If one member in a team is perceived as sexy, others may spend more time admiring them instead of focusing on their job.
Sexualized perception can lead to competition for attention, which can cause conflict and reduce motivation.
Sexualized perception reduces cohesion in teams by making members focus less on achieving shared objectives and more on personal ones.
Collaboration
Collaboration involves working together with others to create something new or improve upon existing ideas. When sexualized perception exists in a team, it can lead to confusion and uncertainty. Members may not be sure who is responsible for what task, or how to collaborate effectively. They might even compete for recognition or blame when things go wrong. This can result in suboptimal outcomes and missed opportunities.
Sexualized perception can make some members uncomfortable, leading to reduced participation and withdrawal from group activities.
Sexualized perception negatively impacts collaboration by creating friction and tension among teammates.
Collective Identity
Collective identity refers to the sense of belongingness that members have towards the group they belong to. Sexualization can alter this by changing the meaning of relationships within the team. If members see themselves primarily as individuals who interact sexually with each other rather than as professionals working together, they will feel less connected to the group. Moreover, sexualized perceptions can create power imbalances between different members, such as men over women or vice versa, which can damage trust and solidarity.
Sexualized perception can make members feel ashamed or embarrassed about their actions, reducing their confidence and willingness to contribute fully. Therefore, sexualized perception damages collective identity by undermining its foundation: interpersonal relationships.
Sexualized perception has far-reaching implications on teams' cohesion, collaboration, and collective identity. Teams need to address this issue proactively if they want to achieve common goals effectively. To do so, leaders should promote open communication and encourage members to focus on shared objectives instead of individual ones.
Managers should ensure that all members feel safe and respected regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or appearance. Only then can teams thrive in an environment where everyone feels heard and valued for their contributions.
In what ways does sexualized perception influence collaboration, cohesion, and collective identity in teams?
The sexualized perception of team members can significantly impact their collaboration, cohesion, and collective identity. When team members perceive each other as sexually attractive, they may be more likely to engage in flirtatious behavior, which can disrupt communication and productivity. Sexualized perception can also lead to power dynamics within the group, where some members feel entitled to have preferential treatment due to their status or attractiveness.