Manterrupting & Bropropriating
How women can finish a sentence!
Women are interrupted far more frequently at meetings than men. So how do we change this dynamic?
In the 2015 study on gender bias in the workplace entitled “Mansplaining, Manterrupting, and Bropropriating”, the study found that women are overwhelmingly interrupted more often than men at work meetings. (70% vs. 30%)
The meeting context matters:
Women were most likely interrupted in panel discussions, followed by live meetings and conference calls.
Women interrupted women more than women interrupted men.
Men do Intrusive Interrupting (aggressive interrupting) far more than women.
I’m concerned with the study’s findings on Intrusive Interrupting. The gold standard in public speaking is to speak assertively, with a communication style that is clear, confident, and still friendly and inclusive. Certain communicators think they are being assertive when they are being aggressive.
The study suggests implementing these helpful “Ideas for Inclusion”:
Follow a meeting agenda.
Agree to take turns speaking.
Set the tone of the meeting by reminding everyone that interruptions stop the idea flow and make the meeting go longer.
Separate “divergent thinking” from “convergent thinking” conversations.
Encourage men to point out when another man is interrupting.
Women can depersonalize the interruptions to help them stay engaged.
Disinterest Interrupters by “Thanking” an interrupter for their point and then getting back to your talk.
Interrupt “Bropropriation”: If you share an idea that someone else takes as their own later on, thank them for remembering your idea from earlier in the meeting.
Speak up about Interruptions: Let the interrupter know what they are doing and they will be more likely to stop.
I appreciate that these suggestions don’t place the burden on women to “speak up” or “lean in” to be heard. The meeting facilitator can set the tone for the meeting and point out when someone interrupts, especially an aggressive interrupter. Other participants can point out interrupters.
If we all agree that aggressive interrupting is unacceptable, we can all participate in the solution.
Stay Calm & Speak On,
Jessica