Mary Blair-Loy studies workplace values in a unique way—by identifying shared cultural understandings that are typically used to measure individuals’ worth at work. As she states in this fascinating talk, there are important disconnects between these cultural values of merit and individuals’ actual achievements. For example, the lone genius is valued in academia, but research shows that Nobel Laureates actually have larger-than-average teams. In her own data, she finds that assertiveness is valued in men, and assertive faculty receive more respect and higher income, on average. “But, she says, “there are no average differences between more and less assertive faculty in the metrics that academia says matter most—publication rates and grant success.”
Watch this important WFRN Big Ideas Talk on Reconceiving Merit and Devotion To Improve Equity in the Professions for the sake of our organizations, our society, and for ourselves and our families.
