Manterrupt - an unconscious bias in working environment.

Inclusion cannot happen till we know the barriers and elements that create exclusion.Today, I want to talk about the prevalent and yet very subtle element preventing inclusion when it comes to Women at Work.

Manterrupt: Research has shown that men are more likely to interrupt women than they are to interrupt other men, and that this behavior can have negative consequences for women's participation and visibility in professional settings. Some strategies that can be used to address manterrupting include setting ground rules for respectful communication, actively promoting women's participation, and calling out instances of manterrupting as they occur.

Several studies have looked at the prevalence and impacts of manterrupting in the workplace. Some findings:

- men are "more likely to interrupt women" than they are to interrupt other men, and that this behavior is perceived as more hostile when it is directed at women.

- men are more likely to interrupt women when "they are the only woman present in a group", and that this behavior is perceived as more inappropriate when it is directed at a woman who is higher in status.

- men are "more likely to interrupt women in public speaking situations", and that this behavior has negative impacts on women's credibility and perceived competence.

- men are more likely to interrupt women in meetings, and that this behavior has negative impacts on women's participation and contribution in those meetings.

Manterrupting can have a range of negative effects on women's growth in the workplace and career. Some of the ways in which it can impact women include:

- Reduced participation and visibility: When men interrupt women, it can interrupt their train of thought and make it difficult for them to fully participate in conversations or meetings. This can reduce their visibility and make it harder for them to contribute and be recognized for their ideas and insights.

- Decreased credibility and perceived competence: Manterrupting can also impact how women are perceived by others. Research has shown that when men interrupt women, it can diminish their credibility and perceived competence, making it harder for them to be taken seriously and respected by their colleagues.

- Reduced confidence: Experiencing manterrupting repeatedly can also take a toll on women's confidence and self-esteem. It can make them feel disrespected, unsupported, and unheard, which can affect their motivation and willingness to speak up and contribute in the future.

How is Manterrupting different from Mansplaining?

Manterrupting refers to the tendency of men to interrupt women during conversations or meetings, often in a way that is inappropriate or disrespectful. It is a manifestation of patriarchy and gender-based power dynamics, and it can be harmful and frustrating for the women who experience it.

Mansplaining, on the other hand, refers to the tendency of men to explain things to women in a patronizing or condescending way, as if the woman is not capable of understanding the topic on her own. This behavior is often characterized by the man speaking in a simplified or over-explaining manner, and it can be demeaning and dismissive towards the woman. While both behaviors are related to gender and power dynamics, they are distinct phenomena and can occur independently of each other.

Manterrupting is a specific form of interruption that disproportionately affects women, while mansplaining is a form of condescending explanation that can be directed at anyone, but is more commonly directed at women.

What can be done to create a more conducive work environment for women - eliminating manterrupting experience at work?

There are several steps that companies can take to eliminate manterrupting in the workplace:

1. Educate employees about the impact of manterrupting: It is important for employees to be aware of the impact that their words and actions can have on others. Providing training and resources on respectful communication can help employees understand the importance of not interrupting others, and how to communicate in a more inclusive and supportive way.
2. Set ground rules for meetings and discussions: Establishing clear guidelines for meetings and discussions can help to prevent manterrupting and other forms of disrespectful behavior. This could include setting time limits for speaking, encouraging all team members to participate, and calling out instances of manterrupting as they occur.
3. Promote women's participation: Encouraging and actively promoting women's participation in meetings and discussions can help to reduce the prevalence of manterrupting. This could involve creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for women to speak up, and using techniques such as round-robin speaking to ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute.
4. Hold people accountable: It is important for companies to hold people accountable for their words and actions, including instances of manterrupting. This could involve addressing instances of manterrupting as they occur, and taking disciplinary action if necessary.

Overall, eliminating manterrupting in the workplace requires a combination of education, clear guidelines, active promotion of inclusivity, and accountability. By taking these steps, companies can create a more inclusive and respectful work environment for all employees.

Manterrupting is a form of gender bias, as it disproportionately affects women and is related to gender-based power dynamics. It is a manifestation of patriarchy, as it reflects the societal expectation that men should have more power and control in social and professional settings.

Manterrupting is also a form of discrimination, as it can have negative impacts on women's participation, visibility, credibility, and perceived competence in the workplace. It can create barriers for women's growth and advancement, and it can make it harder for them to succeed and thrive in their careers.

Manterrupting is a harmful and unfair behavior that perpetuates gender-based inequality in the workplace. It is important for companies to address and actively work to prevent this behavior in order to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.

Start your year with understanding deeper aspects of bias that prevails in the workplace.

Need help in identifying and addressing it for your team? Dm or write to me at [email protected]