Women tend to be more critical of their own performance than men and are more likely to be generous when it comes to rating that of others, according to research by business psychologist Psychological Consultancy Limited (PCL).
PCL looked at data from more than 4,000 workers involved in 360-degree appraisals – with individuals rated for potential, rating their own performance and receiving ratings from clients and colleagues.
The results were presented at the Division of Occupational Psychology’s annual conference, organised by the British Psychological Society, in January. They reveal that women are twice as likely as men to sell themselves short when rating their performance at work, rating themselves lower than the ratings given them by others in 10 out of 24 competencies. Men rate themselves lower than the ratings from others in just five out of 24 competencies.
When assessing others’ work, female workers tend to give more positive performance ratings – giving higher ratings than males for 20 of the 24 competencies measured when rating others.
Men’s performance at work is rated more or less equally by males and females – while the performance of women is rated lower by males than by females.
Women rated other women significantly higher than men on project management, developing others, interpersonal skills and planning & organising.
Men rated women significantly lower on leadership potential, persuasive communication, customer focus and being creative.
However, potential scores based on personality metrics showed no significant differences – with men and women equally competent in all areas, according to the research.