Here are some tips on how to handle males who "Manterrupt" Females during Meetings or even in One VS One conversations.
Studies reveal that men interrupt women 33% more often than when they were talking with men. This could be why those work meetings don't always go as planned. Here's what women—and men—can do to stop this annoying pattern in meeting cabins and conference rooms.
If you've ever stepped out of a meeting confused about what just happened in there after your idea was presented by a colleague (male) as his own, you're not alone..... And neither are you paranoias . It isn't uncommon, either, if your presentation is interrupted so many times that you find yourself waiting for your turn to speak. This has nothing to do with your competence or knowledge on the subject.
Rewind back to 2009 when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she had received an award and ended up waiting for her turn to speak until he was done with whatever he had to say.
Here are some terms to arm yourselves with, ladies:
Manterrupting: Being interrupted by a man (who has no manners)
Bropropriating: Stealing a woman's idea and taking credit for it
Here are a few not-so-fun facts and stats to understand the magnitude of this issue.
According to Deborah Tannen, a renowned expert in gender communication, men talk to achieve power and status. Women speak to achieve connections. Women's inherent inclination to connect doesn't allow her to interrupt as she knows that it is disrespectful. Considering the upper-hand that men have enjoyed for centuries, the awareness of their male privilege seeps into how they interact with women, irrespective of the context or roles they play. They use this underlying, centuries-old gender dynamics to interrupt women and occupy the center stage because that's where they believe they belong.
A 2014 study at George Washington University states that men interrupt women 33% more often than when they were talking with men.
Sociologists at the University of California, Don Zimmerman and Candace, conducted an interesting study titled “Sex Roles, Interruptions and Silences in Conversations.” The study, which involved recorded conversations in public places such as cafes, drug stores, and university campuses, reveals that of a standard 48 interruptions, 46 of the instances were of a man interrupting a woman.
Studies that focused on professional interactions between genders suggest that women speak less, get interrupted more, and have their ideas criticized more harshly than their male counterparts.
Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant shared their views on the subject on New York Times. They state:
When a woman speaks in a professional setting, she walks a tightrope. Either she’s barely heard or she’s judged as too aggressive. When a man says virtually the same thing, heads nod in appreciation for his fine idea.
Experts' suggestions for organizations to resolve this issue
i) Hire more women in leadership positions.
ii) Bring in the no-Kanye rule. No one (irrespective of gender) will interrupt the other when she or he is pitching their idea.
iii) Introduce a process that allows for people to offer solutions anonymously. Let each idea be evaluated and chosen based only on credit.
iv) Encourage 360° feedback for all members, including those in top positions.
We need more women in leadership positions to tackle the bias. Source: Leaders in HeelsHow can individuals break this annoying pattern in meetings?Men
We men need to Understand that we might be unconsciously sexist and admit it
Due to centuries of conditioning, the male mind is so hardwired to be biased against women who exhibit (assumed) masculine traits—decision-making, authority, leadership—as opposed to (assumed) feminine traits—nurturing, connecting, and following. Women might find the confidence and authority to be able to pitch their idea... without being interupted... we men need show Respect ....it's that Simple.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten