Mars and Venus in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting Results at Work

Rating:
Summary: Different Planets?
Review:
I think John Gray has brilliantly created the captivating concept of the coexisting male and female planets of behavior. Women are Venusians, and men are Martians. We all laugh and joke about it, but never truly understand. It was written in a way we can all relate. The book is not only informative, but entertaining. Sure, I enjoy research and stats but this was real life in action. When reading the scenarios you immediately recall a situation of which you have experienced and it's almost like problem solving along the way. These ideas are good for everyone.
Of course neither planet is right or wrong, a great combination is best. Since reading this book, I have developed more "Martian" characteristics, but I will never give up my collaborating "Venusian" style. I have mixed both styles and I think this has made me a better communicator in the workplace.
In the business world if you know each other's planet you are at an advantage. There can be so many misinterpretations if you don't understand the other planet. Knowing more about Mars has made me happier at home and more confident at work.
This book will help you understand the differences in men and women when it comes to problem solving. Women chat about it and men want to be alone. In the business world, it is important to think about. Unfortunately, some male managers can see chatting as a sign of weakness. This sounds really discriminating, but it can be true in certain situations, particularly at meetings. And when it comes time for reviews and appraisals women often don't credit themselves for ideas as a man would.
I have read many pop culture self-help books and this book really made me self evaluate my Venusian ways and I definitely need to develop more `Martian style' to balance out my sometimes too over powerful `Venusian style'. But as the book states-it's not about changing you, but just to better your understanding of how men and women behave and communicate. This book can completely improve your workplace relationships since you will have a different perspective.


Rating:
Summary: GOOD INFORMATION...IF EVERYONE FOLLOWS IT!
Review: "Mars and Venus" seem to be creeping into every aspect of our lives, and while I am an avid reader and praiser of Gray's books, I found this one probably my least favourite of his works. Why? It is a common fact that we do have gender differences and gender bashing in the workplace. Should it be there? Should there still be machoism and feminism taken to the point where it affects the office environment? No, of course not. However, the general context of this book seems to imply that by learning and accepting our gender differences, the problem of communication will be solved, and, yes, if EVERYONE followed that principle we would not have a problem. The downside is, even if one reads this book and contemplates the valuable information it contains, we are still going to have the same old problems in the workplace because not everyone is going to follow Gray's principles. It only takes one rotten apple to spoil the barrel.

Unlike many of Gray's previous books, where the issues involve couples or family, in this book we are talking about changing the attitudes and habits of a great many people, depending on how many employees are in the work environment. If you have 100 employees and each one reads this book, in reality, there will still be one or more whose attitudes will not change - in other words, "that bad apple will still exist and cause havoc in the barrel." There is no question, the author's advice is sound, good advice, but unless all employees think in the same light, which in reality is highly unlikely, we will still have gender issues and communication problems in the workplace.

Rating:
Summary: Another outstanding mars venus book
Review: Dr Gray has done it again...another outstanding book.His insights have assisted me with my male(martians)client.My practice is now brimming with males....because I now understand not to give unsolicited advice...but rather ask better questions.The tools and skills should be taught in schools.I wish I had of know the differences when I first started out in the workplace.Bravo Dr Gray...
It is truly amazing how little changes make such big differences.The quality of my relationships since using the mars venus principles has gone to levels I had never dreamed of!
As a single parent with two boys,I am grateful for all the knowledge and practical advice....It is wonderful to have such a close connection with them.
I would suggest everyone in the workplace read this.How wonderful to go back to basics,courtsey,shivilery.I could only image how much more pleasant,loving and caring the world would be if everyone adopted Grays work!
Keep up the much needed work! God bless him for trying to open peoples eyes and hearts!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Workplace is right on!
Review: I found myself underlining everything! In true J.G. fashion, he has described the human condition, and the way we interact.I thought it was brilliant, and very helpful in particular for understanding myself and the opposite sex in regards to problems solving and dealing with stress.

Rating:
Summary: Another great Mars Venus book
Review: I have learned so much about relating to the opposite sex through John Gray's books. This latest book just expands and provides more insight in the area of the workplace. My wife and I have worked in many professional environments and we have always related to the gender differences as John Gray describes. He takes great care in presenting each worldview in a positive way. This book should help anyone to see deeper into the experience of the opposite sex without blaming or judging one view as being more right or wrong.

Rating:
Summary: Of COURSE we're different!!
Review: The biggest thing missing from my MBA education was learning how to interact with other people. Business is nothing if we can't communicate effectively and regularly. This book explains in clear terms how men can understand women and communicate effectively. We men can't talk to women the way we do with other men. We are very different. By following Dr. Gray's guidelines, men can learn how to earn the trust and respect of female co-workers. We can learn easy ways to speak the woman's language and understand her perceptions. The most fascinating aspect is the description of women's emotions, what they mean, and positive responses men can use to increase productivity and create a pleasant workplace. Working in harmony is the only way to go.

I should think that this book can be especially helpful to women, as they are basically working in a world that has been designed and run by men. As Dr. Gray says, a woman's challenge in the workplace is greater than a man's. While the books and research of Gail Evans and Dr. Deborah Tannen and others have described gender differences, this book by Dr. Gray sheds light on many aspects of workplace problems and offers solutions that are easy, respectful, effective, and even fun.

Rating:
Summary: Make that a zero.........It doesn't warrant a star
Review: These are John Gray's tips for scoring points with women in the work place: "give a personal greeting and use her name ... before asking a business question" and "remember the names of her children" and "ask a woman about her family or personal life". I can't imagine the workplace that John is talking about here. This book merely shows how wildly out of touch the author is rather than informing us about working with the opposite sex. Perhaps it was a lifetime ago that John actually did work, which may explain things. If you would like to read a book which tells woman to get to the point (as though you can't do that already) and prop up men's egos, because they are all so fragile, then this is the book for you. If you are sick of book franchises that have little substance and no purpose other than expanding the pockets of the author then steer clear of this one.

Rating:
Summary: Making the Workplace More Productive and Pleasant
Review: This book and audio tape are up to the high standards of most of John Gray's books. It ranks up there with Men Are From Mars; Children Are From Heaven and How to Get What You Want. Small and large businesses and their employees should all be required to read this. It should be required reading in colleges too, especially for business majors. Dr. Gray does for the workplace, what he did in revolutionizing personal relationships with Men Are From Mars. His easily understood writing style helps all people to understand his concepts.

Rating:
Summary: Making the Workplace More Productive and Pleasant
Review: This book and audio tape are up to the high standards of most of John Gray's books. It ranks up there with Men Are From Mars; Children Are From Heaven and How to Get What You Want. Small and large businesses and their employees should all be required to read this. It should be required reading in colleges too, especially for business majors. Dr. Gray does for the workplace, what he did in revolutionizing personal relationships with Men Are From Mars. His easily understood writing style helps all people to understand his concepts.

Rating:
Summary: Workplace is right on!
Review: This is the first Mars/Venus book in the author's series of books that I've read. I have heard several good things about the original book Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. Naturally, curiosity got the better of me, and I purchased a copy of this book.

I liked how the author was able to coherently build a framework to explain the differences between men and women. His analogy to interplanetary species having to co-mingle here on earth struck me as original and humorous.

There were, however, certain aspects of this book that are a bit disappointing to me. Whereas I agree with most of his points, I wish the author would have included more real world examples and scenarios. In 290 pages of text, only 3 examples were given as to how effective this framework could be.

The book's recurring theme and lesson is that men and women basically misunderstand each other because they come from different planets where customs and traditions vary.

The book is full of 2-3 column charts on what men and women should or shouldn't say at certain situations. It attempts to explain what is going on in the mind of a woman as a result of what a man does or says, and vice versa. It also offer remedial dialogue for what to say when a "misunderstanding" is about to occur.

Another point the author drills into the readers mind is: Men are quick to arrive at solutions whenever a woman approaches him with a problem, not knowing that this is her way of including him in her world and a way of leading up to her solution. It states, half a dozen times throughout the book, that women share their emotions with men in the workplace not as a way of putting blame or soliciting advice, but rather a way to make an emotional connection. Men, on the other hand, view this as a sign of weakness and a waste of time. The author terms men as Mr. Fix It because men seem to always quickly offer a solution not fully hearing out what a woman has to say. Believe it or not, that was the single most important takeaway of the whole book. Each chapter repeats a variation of this lesson.

Toward the end of the book, the author crams in a chapter about sexual harrassment. Why it occurs (based on his framework of interplanetary misunderstanding) and what can be done to relieve or tolerate it. I do think the topic of sexual harrassment in the workplace is relevant, but I felt it was glossed over.

The second to the last chapter is devoted to essentially two checklists: 101 Ways Men can Empathize with Women and 101 Ways Women can Empathize with Men. And there really were 101 items on each list. This struck me as odd because it reminded me of a little book called Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown <ASIN: 1558534903>. It had suggestions like compliment her hairstyle, offer to bring her a glass of water, carry around a family photo in your wallet, etc. It just seemed really odd to me that this would be included in this book.

(I'm curious as to whether this book stemmed from the author's workshop materials or the other way around. Maybe this book is the summary of his specialized courses to institutions.) Either way, I'm afraid I cannot recommend this book because what the author has spent almost 300 pages trying to explain, I can capture in 3 paragraphs.