An Introduction to Four Viewpoints

The last forty years have seen women enter the workforce in increasing numbers and as of 2006, the Bureau of Labor statistics reported that women represent 46% of the total US labor force. Women are expected to account for 51% of the workforce growth in the decade between 2004 and 2014, representing 47% of the workforce by 2014. A focus on the statistics can mask a much more complex picture of the 21^st century work environments. With the rise of teams as a popular structure for configuring people and the work they do, the landscape relative to gender, leadership, power and influence, affect and emotions, conflict and negotiation is of considerable interest. The intersection of these factors has significant implications for individual, group and organizational performance. Additionally, what creates sustainable performance in an organization is greatly influenced by these (and other) factors. The essays that follow will briefly explore some perspectives on teams, power, affect, negotiation and gender, with particular emphasis on women. We hope that these articles will spark new awareness and provide a starting point for renewed thinking about and action around these issues.