One Small Step toward Ungendered Rationality: A Plea for HRD Researchers and Practitioners

Masculine rationality pervades organizations and organizational theory but remains largely unexplored and or studied by human resource development (HRD) researchers and practitioners. This essay defines rational masculinity and summarizes its origins and effects on women in the workplace. Current literature supports the need for increased recognition of masculine rationality within HRD but lacks concrete suggestions for how to make progress toward identifying and changing the definition of rationality within organizations to a more holistic, inclusive organizational framework. In this essay, I provide concrete suggestions that HRD and organizational leadership can implement to begin a change toward a more balanced rationality.