Have you ever been in a meeting and attempted to express your idea or opinion, but somehow people didn’t seem to hear it?
And then someone else said what you wanted to say, and everyone listened and thought it was an excellent idea?
How do you feel about that?
I’ve heard this from so many Japanese female clients and women in my online programs.
If you’re a Japanese woman, you may also be frustrated by your male colleagues dominating conversations at work.
But this is not just a struggle for Japanese women.
It’s a topic raised in books such as Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel.
It’s such a common problem in the West that we even have special terms related to it.
Have you heard of “mansplaining”? That’s when a man talks condescendingly to someone (especially a woman) about something he has incomplete knowledge of, with the mistaken assumption that he knows more about it than the person he’s talking to does.
Or “hepeating”? That’s when a woman’s suggestion is overlooked, but then readily accepted when repeated by a man.
But actually, this isn’t just a gender issue. It can also be an age or status issue. Younger men also complain that they don’t get heard and that more senior people in the meeting get the attention and credit.
In Episode 116 of the Sasuga! Podcast, you’ll hear
- The power of taking responsibility instead of complaining
- Specific techniques you can start to use immediately to be more assertive in meetings
- How to help to create a more supportive corporate culture for diverse opinions to be heard
Enjoy!
Prefer to listen on your podcast player?
Links for you
In this episode, I mention the Speak Like An Expert Online course. If it’s important for you to communicate clearly, confidently, and convincingly with your colleagues and clients or customers…
Click here to discover all the ways this comprehensive, self-study course can help you.