By Melissa J. Anderson

According to a new survey from Microsoft Office 365 and 85 Broads, women are interested in a more flexible work arrangement. According to the survey of members of the women’s networking group 85 Broads, a full 90% of respondents would prefer a regular remote working schedule, and 81% of women said they’d be more satisfied with their jobs as a result of remote working. Given the opportunity, they would work from home 3.1 days per week.

That’s more than half the week away from the office. The main reasons women desired a more flexible work arrangement included work/life issues, better productivity, and a shorter commute. In fact, it is notable that so many individuals felt being at work prevented them from getting work done. What is it about the workplace that is so draining?

By Melissa J. Anderson

On Friday, The Impact Center hosted the first ever Gender Intelligence Summit in Washington, DC, which focused on what Gender Intelligence is and how it can help advance the diversity conversation at today’s top companies.

Yesterday, we discussed how Gender Intelligence can help further the diversity and inclusion conversation – by focusing on and valuing differences between the genders, rather than the similarities.

By implementing diversity programming that incorporates the value of these differences, companies can change the structure and culture of their workforce. As Marie Wilson, Founder of The White House Project commented at the Summit, “Gender is not just a matter of how people get along or how companies make money. It’s a matter of how decisions get made.” How can companies better take advantage of Gender Intelligence differences?

By Melissa J. Anderson

How can companies better galvanize support for building inclusive cultures? According to proponents of Gender Intelligence, one way is to focus on the differences between men and women, rather than the similarities.

John Hart, Founder and CEO of the Impact Center, explained, “For me, as a man coming into this, the unique nature of gender intelligence speaks to the next challenge… to make sure men are included in the conversation. For me it came down to the data.”

He explained that research on Gender Intelligence showed him the importance of including multiple diverse points of view in the workplace. “We believe the true sustainability of the conversation going forward will be in collaboration with one another.”

Hart was speaking at the first ever Gender Intelligence Summit, held in Washington, DC, on Friday. The conference featured preeminent scientists on the neurobiological differences between male and female brains, as well expert diversity practitioners on how companies can take advantage of these differences to build more inclusive and productive workplaces.

As Barbara Annis, Founder and CEO of Barbara Annis & Associates and Chair of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, said, “The business case is compelling. You can’t deny it anymore.”