Chill, Donald, Chill! ❄️

Greta Thunberg is an absolute boss. 

At the end of last week, she made the ultimate comeback to Donald Trump with a demonstration of her razor-sharp wit and brilliant timing.

It all started when she was announced Time’s Person of the Year in December 2019, when Trump saw this as an opportunity to put her and her efforts to combat climate change on blast:

However, 11 months later, after holding onto the following FIERCE reply, she unleashed it with the devastation of a nuclear missile.

Incredible.

And with this incident, we were met with Scott Morrison’s inexcusable cutting-off of Anne Rushton after two words during a press conference earlier this week, which really got me thinking about the crime that is mansplaining.

Because here’s the thing: we as women can use language to call out the patriarchy - particularly when we might feel frustrated and/or caught off-guard. 

Mansplaining isn’t something that we should have to put up with.

If you’ve ever experienced it, and I’m almost certain you have - you’ll be familiar with the need to immediately cringe and the sudden blinding fury that absolutely takes over your soul. 

In case any of you haven’t heard of the term, mansplaining is the “explanation of something by a man, typically to a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronising.”

In recent weeks I’ve also heard it described as a man’s ‘correctile dysfunction’, and ladies, I think we’ve found a winner.

I’ve definitely experienced this on more than one occasion in the corporate world.

Once, I found myself in a meeting with a male lawyer who confidently decided to mansplain what women want at work and why their ‘preferences’ create the gender pay gap.

I confidently asked him back what made him such an expert on being a woman? 

He gave me a blank stare. No response.

What I’ve realised since is that mansplaining is inherently passive aggressive, even if the offender is unaware of their actions, and is an attempt by the offender to gain power over others.

On this day, I indeed felt patronised - and fortunately, found the strength to be able to speak up against this man, and since then, many others!

But I understand that we, as women, can often feel like deers in the headlights when we’re not expecting to be cut off mid-speech and can revert back to our societal conditioning of listening, waiting patiently and possibly fuming about it afterwards. 

I too have reverted to this from time-to-time.

What can I say, social conditioning can do some serious damage.

So, with this in mind, here’s how you can tackle mansplainers and reclaim your power.

1. Polite but firm one-liner

Use a short but firm push-back statement to let the man know that you are aware of what he has said, but that his explanations are unwelcome. 

For example:

“I hear you, John, but I’ve got this covered.”

“Let me continue and if there are still any questions, I will get to this at the end.”

“Thanks, but I know how to use Excel.”

Remember to remain calm and professional, as much as you may feel incredibly frustrated inside! Reacting to what they have to say let’s them win.

2. Redirect 

Echoing other women and giving them the opportunity to talk is also  key.

When the mansplainer is taking too much airtime, encourage another person to speak:

“I’d love to hear what Christina has to say about this.”

Redirecting the conversation takes the attention away from the mansplainer and introduces other voices into the fold, rebalancing the energy in the room.

3. Use humour

Humour is an excellent way to tackle your mansplainer.

It lightens the mood but also shows that you can confidently set boundaries in a less confrontational way.

It’s all in the delivery. 

Smile as you make your quip, such as:

“Daniel, you know I’m not going to give up the podium until I’m ready, so you might as well wait…”

“Alan, you do realise you’re in the presence of a certified Excel ninja over here…Hi” *waves*

Humour can generally be a very effective method for conflict resolution and can be an extra tool in your arsenal when a direct and serious approach might not work so well. 

4. The private one-on-one

Sometimes, as much as you try to tackle the mansplainer in the meeting, they don’t get the hint and become repeat offenders.

In this case, it is often necessary to take them aside privately and call them out.

Explain to them that you don’t appreciate their behaviour.

Often, a lot of men don’t actually realise they’re doing it - and don’t necessarily have malintent. 

However, nipping things in the bud and being direct can promote understanding and get them to see the light.

All in all, remember that mansplaining is a sign of insecurity and an attempt to gain control over others - and as women we can realise the power of our voices, challenging those that try to derail us.

With every correction, you can reclaim your power and reinforce your reputation as someone who isn’t to be interrupted. 

Here’s to hearing the end of your sentences.