Psychology: The Science Of Human Nature

For example, the researchers tracked which students responded to questions posed to the class as a whole, not one particular student. At the beginning of the semester, female students were much less likely than male students (9 percent vs. 23 percent) to respond to such questions, regardless of the gender of the instructor. But as the course progressed, female students became much more likely to respond to such questions posed by female instructors (46 percent of female students were responding) than to male instructors (only 7 percent of female students were responding). Likewise, a larger percentage of male students answered questions posed by female instructors (42 percent of men) than by male instructors (only 26 percent of men). Notably, however, the impact of having a female instructor vs. a male instructor was much greater for women. The researchers tracked other measures as well. At the beginning of the courses, there were not notable differences in whether female students approached female instructors (12 percent did) or male instructors (13 percent did) with questions after class. But as the course progressed, the percentage of female students approaching female instructors stayed constant, while the number approaching male instructors dropped -- all the way to zero.

"To create organizations that are fit for the future, we need to dramatically retool the management systems and processes that govern . . . * How strategies get created * How opportunities get identified * How decisions get made * How resources get allocated * How activities get coordinated * How power gets exercised * How teams get built * How tasks and talent get matched up * How performance gets measured * How rewards get shared"

"people of upper-class status aren't very good at recognizing the emotions other people are feeling. The researchers speculate that this is because they can solve their problems, like the daycare example, without relying on others -- they aren't as dependent on the people around them. Maybe most fascinating is that "when people were made to feel that they were at a lower social class than they actually were, they got better at reading emotions," suggesting that even a temporary shift in context can account for behavioral changes."

I am inclined to agree with you, it's a class thing rather than a money thing. we're subjected to a fair bit of it here in the UK, but are expected to 'play the game'

six keys to achieving excellence.: 1. Pursue what you love 2. Do the hardest work first 3. Practice intensely 4. Seek expert feedback, in intermittent doses. 5. Take regular renewal breaks 6. Ritualize practice