Stereotype-fu – Page 3 – Steven Savage

Stereotype-Fu: A sense of humor

October 3, 2009 by Steven Savage

Continuing my series on Stereotype-fu, let's take a look at another way to deal with stereotypes in the job and career.

I should note that I'm talking about the more innocent (or stupid) ones – not the nasty, negative stereotypes that we all know a bit to well – those that judge people by ethnicity, or gender, region of borth etc. Those are areas outside the scope of what I'm discussing.

So when you're afraid you're being affected by stereotypes in your workplace, on an interview, etc. another tool is a sense of humor.

Stereotype-Fu: Archetypes

September 24, 2009 by Steven Savage

Last column I discussed one way of dealing with stereotypes that come up in your career is to pick positive ones – and divert people stereotyping you to see you in a more positive light. You pick one ahead of time to divert people who are stereotyping you.

Another option, a tougher one, is to use Archetypes.

Stereotype-fu: Choose your stereotype!

September 16, 2009 by Steven Savage

This is going to be the first in an ongoing series of columns on what I call "Stereotype Fu" – the art of using stereotypes to your advantage in your career.

A lot of us fannish and geeky types end up stereotyped – as we well know. Trekkies, fanboys, lifeless gamers, nerds, fangirls, etc. We're use to it, and often a little afraid of it – we're used to being viewed negatively due to simple associations, even when the stereotypes are not totally negative (or negative at all).

BOOKS could be written about why this happens. My simple summary is that on the neutral side people like to find ways to classify things easy, and on the negative side some people need a group to look down on (and that drags into issues of the culture at large).

However, when we're starting businesses, interviewing for jobs, at work, etc. we have to deal with them.

I want to talk about using them to your advantage.