Mansplaining Definition

Historical Context

The term “mansplaining” gained popularity in the 2010s, particularly in feminist discourse, to highlight the subtle ways gender-based power imbalances manifest in everyday interactions. Originally coined after a viral essay by Rebecca Solnit titled Men Explain Things to Me, the term has since become a cultural touchstone for identifying and addressing condescending behavior in professional and personal settings.

In the workplace, mansplaining often arises in male-dominated industries, where women may face skepticism regarding their expertise. Studies have found that women are frequently interrupted during meetings or overlooked for their contributions, which can exacerbate feelings of exclusion.

• Research shows that women are 23% more likely to be interrupted during meetings than men. (Source)
• In mixed-gender groups, men speak 75% more often than women, leading to disparities in decision-making and collaboration. (Source)

Examples of Workplace Scenarios

1. Team Meeting Overshadowing
   During a project meeting, a female team member presents her idea, but a male colleague interjects, repeats her suggestion, and takes credit for it.
2. Assumptive Explaining
   A junior male employee explains basic concepts to a senior female manager without recognizing her advanced expertise in the field.
3. Client Interaction
   A male sales representative dismisses a female colleague’s insights during a client presentation, assuming she is less informed, despite her being the lead strategist on the account.

These scenarios highlight how mansplaining, while often subtle, can have significant impacts on workplace dynamics and employee morale.

How to Address Mansplaining in the Workplace

Addressing mansplaining requires organizations and individuals to foster open communication and equitable behaviors.

1. Recognize and Reflect: Encourage employees to reflect on their communication styles and recognize unconscious biases.
2. Promote Allyship: Train male colleagues to act as allies by acknowledging and amplifying women’s contributions during discussions.

• Teams that promote inclusivity see a 21% increase in productivity, as diverse voices are better heard and respected. (Source)
• Companies with strong gender equity initiatives report 34% higher employee retention rates. (Source)

Creating a culture of accountability and allyship is essential for addressing subtle forms of bias like mansplaining.

What You Can Do When Mansplaining Happens in the Workplace

Preparing for mansplaining situations involves proactive measures, including:

• Setting Communication Norms: Establish workplace norms that value respectful and collaborative conversations.
• Providing Feedback: Encourage employees to provide constructive feedback to peers who exhibit condescending behavior.
• Facilitating Training: Offer training sessions on gender bias and effective communication to build awareness and foster positive interactions.
• Empowering Women: Create mentorship opportunities and leadership pathways for women to build confidence and authority.

Best Practices for Addressing Mansplaining in the Workplace

• Train employees to identify and call out mansplaining behaviors in a constructive manner.
• Encourage managers to intervene when they notice gender bias in discussions or decision-making.
• Provide platforms where women can share their expertise without interruptions, such as moderated meetings or women-led panels.

Additional Resources Emtrain Provides

Microlesson: Navigating Harassment from Clients

In this microlesson, employees learn how to handle challenging client interactions, including identifying subtle biases and maintaining professionalism under pressure.

Course: Unconscious Bias Training

This course helps employees identify and prevent subtle biases, such as mansplaining, to foster a workplace environment built on respect and inclusion.

Tipsheet Download: Using Gender-Inclusive Language In The Workplace

Using gender-inclusive language as part of everyday communication is one of the most effective ways to build an inclusive culture at the ground level.

Blog: Making the Case for Using Inclusive Language at Work

This blog explores actionable strategies for improving communication, addressing bias, and fostering team collaboration through inclusive language practices.

Video Preview: Addressing Mansplaining in Real-Time

In a Zoom meeting, a female team member begins sharing her thoughts on a project. Midway through, she’s interrupted by a male colleague. Rather than letting the interruption slide, the manager intervenes, redirects the conversation, and ensures she can complete her point. This sets a powerful example of inclusive leadership and respect.