Mansplaining: Strategies on How To Deal With It

How to deal with mansplaining in the workplace

Mansplaining = The explanation of something by a man, typically to a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing.

What are the consequences of being subject to mansplaining?

• A lessened feeling of self-worth in the workplace

  Because of the condescending or patronising nature of the actions involved in mansplaining, it can cause a significant decrease in self worth and realisation of one’s worth in the workplace. Any job/career should be a safe environment for all workers; however, one where confidence is reduced is burdening and harmful.

• Declined ability to feel capable of achieving tasks

  Sometimes you’re subject to mansplaining consistently, it can cause you to lose concentration and focus on the important tasks you had planned for the day. You should be able to carry out all your tasks for the day in a concise and proper manner.

• Feeling as though you aren’t seen as equal in the workplace

  In any workplace or meetings, all conversations should be carried out in a non-condescending manner. However, for many women this is not the reality. Instead the conversation can often be difficult to be apart of and be heard.

How to cope with it

• Redirect Conversation to another women in the workplace

  Because it’s been shown through study that women only speak 25% of the time in interviews, it can be very difficult to attempt to get some words in. However, because of this statistic, it has since led women to band together and this way when one woman speaks up another can redirect the questions; this has been shown to assert more control of the space and environment, leading a much more desirable outcome for women who are often disregarded in that environment.

• Speak loudly to be heard

  Unfortunately, due to the immense difficulty women need to be heard during work settings, it can mean that raising their voice is one of the most effective ways to gain the attention they need. Having the same level of input in the conversation as men is one of the key ways to making an equal workplace environment; this way all the views and opinions are filtered through from every person equally which leads to a less biased result.

• Call out mansplaining behaviour

  Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it can be difficult to voice our opinion, no matter how loud you speak; this leads many women to stand up for themselves and call out the behaviour that isn’t appropriate. For many people this type of confrontation can be extremely difficult to reach, however it has been seen to be very effective at attempting to lessen the behaviour and educate men or anyone who has been issuing the behaviour to stop and reduce it.