Tannen analyzes gender differences in communication within organizations. Does her analysis resonate in your experience? Have gender-specific differences in communication become less pronounced as participation by women at all levels of employment has increased or do they remain stubbornly fixed and inflexible?

In your experience are female bosses that speak and manage like their male counterparts perceived differently by their subordinates? How so? Why? Do women managers confront more resistance from male or female employees or is there no observable difference?

Do managers of color face obstacles comparable to those that Tannen discusses with respect to women? What about managers from minority religions? Old (or very young) managers? Managers with disabilities? Gay or lesbian managers?

What strategies can organizations employ to improve communications in light of the patterns, influences and challenges that Tannen discusses?