From the course: Becoming a Male Ally at Work

Amplifying women's voices at work

From the course: Becoming a Male Ally at Work

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Amplifying women's voices at work

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- One of the easiest ways that you can step up as an ally to women at work is to ensure that everyone's voices are being heard, literally. The unfortunate reality is that women are more likely to be interrupted and talked over than men, and this is especially pronounced in more male dominated environments. There are a few different theories as to why this might be happening. Part of the issue might be related to the fact that women tend to use passive language more frequently than men. While other theories suggest that it all boils down to power dynamics at work, a reflection of who feels entitled to give their opinions more freely. The bottom line is there's no conscious mal-intent necessary for this troubling trend to continue. Many of us, men and women alike, unconsciously interrupt women way more than we interrupt men. And when certain voices are systematically being left out, this can pose a big problem to workplaces who want to benefit from the better decision making and increased creativity that's correlated with more diverse teams. In other words, if you want to benefit from a hundred percent of your team's talent, it's critically important that all voices are heard. Here are a few simple steps you can take right away to curb interrupting and foster a culture where active listening skills are valued. For starters, if you've got a burning idea you want to blurt out, find some relief in writing it down before you shout it out. That way you won't forget it and can stay present in active listening. Second, practice counting to three in your head before jumping in to fill pauses in conversation. This creates an opportunity for others to contribute their thoughts and benefits introverts who tend to think longer before speaking up. Simply allowing for pauses in conversation can show your team that thoughtfulness is valued. And it's not just about whose voice is loudest or first. And finally, if all else fails, practice active listening by physically placing your hand over your mouth when you're not speaking. It's a great little trick to look thoughtful while essentially muzzling yourself long enough to ensure that others can weigh in too. Ensuring that more women's voices are heard at work starts with making sure that you and other men aren't dominating the conversation and unconsciously interrupting women at work.

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