"Let Me Finish": Kamala Harris vs. Manterruptions and What It Means for Gender Equality

Have you ever been in a meeting where your point was interrupted repeatedly?

It’s frustrating right? And yet all too common, especially for women in leadership.

In a recent interview on Fox News, Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris faced an all-too-familiar scenario for women in leadership: constant interruptions and overtalking. During the interview, Brett Baier interrupted her 18 times and over-talked her an additional 15 times, cutting into her responses and forcing her to fight for conversational space. This wasn’t just about politics—it was a glaring example of “manterruptions”—a term that hits close to home for me, both as a woman and as a neuroscientist. I’ve witnessed and experienced the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ways that women’s voices are diminished in conversations, especially when we’re trying to lead or bring innovative ideas to the table.

I remember a conversation early in my career where I was presenting some groundbreaking neuroscience insights to a room full of senior leaders, only to be repeatedly interrupted by a colleague who seemingly couldn’t wait for me to finish. It wasn’t that he had more to contribute—it was just that, in that moment, I could feel the power dynamics playing out. It reminded me of how crucial it is for women to have the space to not just be heard but be fully listened to. I’m sure many of you reading this can relate—this is why I’m passionate about driving conversations on gender equality and communication.

?What Studies Show About Gendered Interruptions

Research backs up what many women experience firsthand. In a study analyzing interruptions across different contexts, it was found that men interrupt women more frequently than they interrupt other men. This pattern was observed in both task-oriented settings and natural conversations, revealing a consistent trend of male dominance in mixed gender interactions. The study concluded that interruptions are often used as a means of controlling the conversation and establishing power over the interlocutor (Ghilzai, 2018).

A different group discussion study showed that in mixed gender environments, men are more likely to interrupt and dominate the conversation. The study found that interruptions in these settings are not just casual—they are often intrusive and aimed at asserting dominance (Smith-Lovin et al., 1989). This dynamic plays out even in supportive interruptions, where men in all-male groups tend to use more collaborative interjections. However, as the number of women in the group increases, these supportive interruptions drop, signaling a shift toward more competitive and controlling behaviors.

?The Impact on Society

When women, particularly those in leadership, are interrupted and talked over, it sends a message to the world: women’s voices don’t deserve the same respect as men’s. This is damaging for everyone, not just for women. Think about the hypocrisy we see when men champion the idea of "strong women," but in the same breath, interrupt and overtalk them. It's a contradiction that's not just personal but societal.

Manterruptions perpetuate a cycle where women are seen as less competent or less authoritative simply because they are unable to finish their thoughts in the same way men can. As Kamala Harris said during her Fox News interview, “But you have to let me finish.” The very fact that she had to assert her right to finish a sentence in an interview highlights how often women are silenced.

But here's the greater societal implication: When women’s voices are not heard, we lose the insights, solutions, and innovations that they bring to the table. Research shows that teams with more women are more creative and perform better. The presence of women in decision-making processes leads to better problem-solving due to diverse perspectives (Smith-Lovin et al., 1989). Yet, how can we tap into that potential if women are not given the space to speak?

?The Harm of Hypocrisy and How to End It

Let’s talk about the hypocrisy for a moment. As a society, we applaud women for breaking barriers, but when they reach positions of power, we diminish their voices through interruptions and overtalking. Men interrupting women isn’t just a bad habit—it’s a reflection of how we see authority and respect in gendered ways.

This isn’t just about men being unaware—it’s about a system that subtly reinforces the idea that men’s voices matter more. Even when women, like Kamala Harris, hold some of the highest offices in the land, they are forced to fight for the floor. The message this sends to the next generation of women is damaging: Your ideas may be important, but you will always have to battle to have them heard.

?Why This Matters for Future Generations

The cost of manterruptions is not just felt in the moment—it ripples across generations. Young girls growing up in a society where women are interrupted in meetings, in classrooms, and in the media learn to self-censor, even when they have something important to say. It shapes their confidence and their belief in their ability to lead.

But here’s the flip side. When we allow women the same conversational space, when we listen to their full thoughts, we give rise to a society that values diverse thinking, inclusivity, and shared leadership. Stopping manterruptions isn’t just about manners—it’s about progress. When women can fully participate in conversations, they can fully participate in shaping the world.

Imagine a future where women are heard, not just seen. Where the ideas of female leaders like Kamala Harris are given the same weight and respect as their male counterparts. A world where the next generation of young women grows up believing that their voice will not be cut off, that they are worth listening to in every conversation.

?The Neuroscience of Interruptions and Why It Matters

As a neuroscientist, I’ve studied the brain’s response to communication dynamics. When we interrupt or are interrupted, it’s not just an annoyance—it disrupts the flow of thought and the brain’s ability to connect ideas. Conversations where one party dominates through interruptions increase stress levels in the other party, leading to diminished creativity and problem-solving abilities. Fortunately, Madame Harris was able to navigate the potential setbacks caused by the interviewer's interruptions, maintaining her focus—likely a testament to her resilience as a formidable attorney general. When we foster environments where everyone can complete their thoughts, we nurture innovation and collaborative thinking.

Let’s turn this into actionable insight. Ending gendered interruptions can have a profound impact on society, creating spaces where the best ideas—regardless of gender—can thrive.

?What Can We Do?

1. Create Awareness Around Unconscious Biases:

Men, take a moment to reflect (or observe others) on how often you interrupt women versus men. Recognize that even if it’s unintentional, it’s harmful.

2. Change The Culture:

In meetings or discussions, encourage space for everyone to speak. Actively stop interruptions and allow women to finish their points.

3. Model Behavior:

Women in leadership, like Kamala Harris, are already showing us how to call out interruptions (“Let me finish”), but it’s time for society to do the same—create environments where women don’t have to fight for their turn to speak.

4. Teach the Next Generation:

We can show our children, both boys and girls, that respect means allowing others to speak, and that good leadership listens as much as it talks.

Let’s create a future where manterruptions are a thing of the past, and where the voices of all people—men and women—are heard equally. This isn’t just about gender; it’s about building a world where we can solve problems together by listening fully to one another.

As Michelle Obama often says, “When they go low, we go high.” That means ensuring that every voice gets its turn in the conversation and making sure no one’s voice is cut off before their idea is fully heard.

Let’s continue to push for a world where all voices matter, because our future depends on it. ~The Neuroscientist

#Leadership #GenderEquality #Communication #KamalaHarris #Manterruptions #Neuroscience #Empowerment @kamalaharris

References:

Cannon, B. C., Robinson, D. T., & Smith-Lovin, L. (2019). How Do We “Do Gender”? Permeation as Over-Talking and Talking Over. Socius, 5. https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023119849347

Ghilzai, S. A. (2018). Conversational Interruptions-Analyzing Language, Gender and Divergence in Male Female Communication. Research Issues in Social Sciences, 3, 134-147.

?

?Smith-Lovin, L., & Brody, E. (1989). Interruptions in group discussions: The effects of gender and group composition. American Sociological Review, 54(3), 424435.

?Tannen, D. (1990). You just don’t understand: Women and men in conversation. Ballantine Books.