How to Handle Mansplaining
Dear Women Leaders,
Have you ever been mansplained in a professional setting?
Let me paint a scene: I was giving a presentation on strategies to help women accelerate their leadership journey. The room was full of women and a few men. I was in my zone.
And then it began.
A man in the audience began repeatedly interrupting to share his perspectives on leadership. So eager to offer his insights, he nearly joined me at the podium.
And yes, I had to raise my voice—literally—to be heard over him. Imagine being talked over in a session about women’s leadership by a man who has no expertise on the subject. Honestly, I almost didn’t believe it was happening.
It didn’t stop when the session ended.
In the follow-up survey, he offered to teach me about the leadership training he does at his company.
Affirmation and Frustration
Afterward, a few women came up to me and said, “You handled that really well.”
I didn’t think about it at the time, but I had set an example of what to do when you find yourself in such a situation.
I shouldn’t have to handle it. I should be able to speak without interruption. To present without needing an “outdoor voice.” To lead without being challenged by someone who’s more interested in hearing themselves than learning from others.
So… What Do We Do About It?
Mansplaining isn’t rare, and it isn’t innocent. If you’ve been in leadership long enough, it’s happened to you, too.
And it’s not just annoying—it’s dismissive, disruptive, and deeply tied to power dynamics that too often go unchecked.
🔗 This Forbes article by Kristi Hedges offers excellent suggestions to SHUT. IT. DOWN.
👉 Read the full article here
Some takeaways:
Interrupt the interrupter: Reclaim your space with calm authority.
Enlist allies: Have someone redirect the convo when needed.
Name it (when safe): “I’d like to finish my thought before we move on.”
Follow up: Document the interaction if necessary. Advocate for yourself or others when the moment passes.
Leadership Is Still Yours
You don’t have to shrink or second-guess when it happens. You can respond with grace and strength.
His mansplaining says more about him than it does about you. The women in the room knew what was happening, and they knew it wasn’t right. He looked foolish, not me.
Let’s keep leading, learning, and shutting it down—together.
Sincerely,
Your Leadership Coach
P.S. Want more intentional leadership strategies like this?
👉 Explore the blog or book a discovery call to learn how coaching can support your growth at every stage.
Rebecca Malotke-Meslin is the founder of Pleasantly Aggressive Coaching & Consulting, where she helps women working in independent schools and non-profit organizations to lead more confidently, authentically, and unapologetically. Rebecca combines a background in social research with 20 years of sales, marketing, communications, and school leadership to create an in-depth and engaging experience for her clients. Rebecca is also the co-host of the Confidently You: Women in Leadership Podcast.
