Speaking up can include the smart question. Sometimes it can be very helpful to just be able to say, we've looked at this now from three different angles. What do you think this is one of the main things men can do, any mentor can do for younger men or women? Chill you. Don't use all the acronyms or whatever. That's the kind of thing i'd like to hear you say in the meeting. Also, managers, if eithy're in the meeting, they can call on the person. You know, what do you think? Amy, amy, you've got some ideas on this. But im to name what is happening right now. That
Have you ever been in a meeting and shared an idea, only to have it ignored? Then, 10 minutes later, a guy shares the same idea, and your boss says “Great idea!” (Grrr.) Or maybe you’ve been told you apologize too much, don’t speak up enough, or that you need more “confidence” or “leadership presence.” (Ugh.)
In this episode, we tackle three aspects of communication: first, how and why women’s speech patterns differ from men’s; second, how women can be more assertive in meetings; and third, how women can deal with interrupters (since the science shows women get interrupted more often than men do).
Guests: Deborah Tannen is a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University. She is best known as the author of the bestseller “You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation.” Jill Flynn is a founding partner at Flynn Heath Holt Leadership. Amy Gallo is an HBR contributing editor and author of the “HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict.”
Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
For links to the articles mentioned in this episode, as well as other information about the show, visit hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.