There are good reasons why women don’t speak up at work, but that silence is not serving us. When we communicate publicly, assertively and honestly for the rights and needs of ourselves and others, we’re shifting the power dynamics that have held us all back.
SHOW NOTES
First, we know that women are more likely to speak up for others than they are for themselves. We also know from the research that women are far more likely to be interrupted and talked over. A 2014 study by Harvard Business Review found that while men and women see this as a problem, men tend to attribute this to a woman’s failure to make their point in a strong, clear way - or getting rattled and allowing themself to be interrupted. Women tend to attribute this to feeling isolated and not liking conflict.
Our hosts delve deeper into what the research says about why and here is what they found:
When we do not speak up , we end up less of all the good things - physical and emotional well-being and more of what we do not want, stress and unhappiness.
There are some key times to speak up: when our boundaries are violated, when we notice someone is upset, when something goes against the rules, when we recognize danger and when no else does.
Dr. Sunita Sah at Cornell University suggests preparing to speak up can be helpful and asking for more time if you need it. Crina and Kirsten add, being clear, avoiding over-explaining, being compassionate and honoring your preferences.
The benefits of voicing your thoughts are high - more authenticity and more satisfaction. It is also critical that each of our very special and unique voices are heard.
MORE GOOD READS
Speak Up at Thanksgiving. Your Health Demands It
The Unavoidable Trap of Politeness: Why Is It So Hard to Just Say “No”? ‹ Literary Hub
Opinion: Why you find it so hard to resist taking bad advice - Los Angeles Times
Women, Find Your Voice (hbr.org)
Speaking Up for Yourself Is Important — 11 Steps to Get It Right
Why Is It So Hard to Speak Up at Work? - The New York Times
The Effect of Gender on Interruptions at Congressional Hearings | American Political Science Review | Cambridge Core
Social Media Is Soul Sucking (oops...did we say that out loud?)
Working With Men (Spoiler Alert: You Don’t Need To Drink Beer or Play Golf)
Toxic Workplaces: How to See the Signs (& How To Deal With Them)
Workplace Gossip--How To Do It Well
Imposter Syndrome: When You Feel Like You’re Faking It.
Self Sabotage: Why We Get in Our Own Way, and How To Stop It
Workplace Performance Anxiety: The Fear of Failure
What’s Your Problem?
How Sisterhood, Sexuality and Civil Disobedience Set the Stage for Gender Equity in Iceland
Toxic Coworkers: Removal, Remediation and Containment
When ’Blah’ Is As Good As It Gets, You Might Be Languishing.
Success is within your reach, but you need to define it first
The Fairy Dust of Effective Teams - Psychological Safety
Are You Ready For The Future Of Work?
Caring for Caregivers
Five Traits of High Achieving Women
Hack Your Job!
Black Women At Work
Fear Is A Powerful Teacher
What to Wear?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Reaching your Goals
Insights@work
The Cardone Zone
The Wall Street Skinny
The Ken Coleman Show