Three Strategies for Countering Interruptions

May 28, 2019

Today's question is from Tara:

"I feel like women are talked over more than men. For example, I know for certain that I am talked over more than men. How can I stop that behavior without looking like a b*tch?"

Today's answer is:

It's true, both experience and research show that women and girls are interrupted far more frequently than boys and men in all environments.

Three solutions for both men and women to help ensure that the voices of women are heard include:

1. Ask your colleagues for an environment of respect when it comes to allowing another to finish his or her thoughts. This applies to both men and women and will benefit women more since we are more often interrupted and cut short.

2. Amplify women's ideas and comments. When a woman has a good idea, make sure it isn't swept under the rug. Amplify her by mentioning it. Use her name. Restate her idea and ask if you got it right, then give her the floor. Let her expand on her idea, which gives her more opportunity to stake her claim in it.

3. Give women credit for their ideas and work. Celebrate women's impact, solutions, and voices. Use her name when bringing attention to a project, accomplishment, or winning idea. If you miss your chance to do so in a meeting, or even if you don't, follow up with email.

Have you downloaded the free Promotion Estimator Worksheet yet? Grab yours here.