Mansplaining: Reclaim Your Voice as a Female Entrepreneur

Mansplaining: How to Reclaim Your Voice and Expertise as a Female Entrepreneur

Ever been in a meeting, brimming with brilliant ideas, only to have your vision… well, shall we say, re-explained to you by someone who clearly hasn’t done their homework? Or maybe you’ve pitched a game-changing strategy, meticulously researched and crafted, just to have a colleague chime in with a simplified, condescending version of your own words? Yeah, I know that feeling. It's like having your carefully iced cupcake snatched, re-frosted with a dollop of plain vanilla, and presented back to you as an improvement. Infuriating, isn’t it?

That, my friend, is often a classic case of mansplaining. And let’s be honest, it's something far too many of us female entrepreneurs encounter. It's not just annoying; it's insidious. It chips away at our confidence, undermines our authority, & can make us question our own expertise.

This isn’t about blaming the system or getting stuck in the "it's not fair" narrative. While systemic challenges are real (and believe me, as a Millennial woman, I get it—we’ve faced our fair share of economic headwinds and shifting societal norms, like trying to buy a house when the price of a block of cheese has skyrocketed while wages have stayed flat), remember, a big part of the power lies in what you do about it. This post is about reclaiming our voice, asserting our expertise, & building a business environment where our brilliance shines without being dimmed by condescending re-explanations. If you’re a Foundation BuilderFoundation Builder, navigating those first tricky client interactions, or a Scaling LeaderScaling Leader managing a growing team, this one's for you. This also speaks to the FlairFlair we bring – building an authentic brand is about owning your expertise and communicating it powerfully. It’s about finding our inner roar, even when others seem determined to whisper over us. A recent study by Harvard Business Review actually showed that women are interrupted three times more often than men in professional settings—talk about a silencing tactic!

Decoding the Mansplain: Spotting the Subtle Signs

Mansplaining isn't always a booming lecture from the boardroom table. It can be subtle, disguised as helpfulness, & often delivered with a smile. Spotting these signs is the first step in reclaiming your FOCUSFOCUS and taking control of the narrative. Here are a few tell-tale signs:

• The Over-Explainer: Someone explains something to you that you already know, often in a condescending tone, as if you’re incapable of grasping the concept yourself. It’s like being told how to boil an egg when you’ve been whipping up soufflés for years.

• The Interrupter: Constantly interrupting you mid-sentence to "clarify" or "add to" your point, even if their addition is just a rephrased version of what you were already saying. It’s as if your train of thought is a pesky fly they must swat away.

• The Simplifier: Taking your complex, nuanced argument & dumbing it down to a simplistic version that misses the mark entirely. Like taking a beautifully intricate tapestry & reducing it to a child's finger painting.

• The Credibility Stealer: Presenting your ideas as their own, or subtly taking credit for your insights. It’s the ultimate corporate magic trick: making your brilliance disappear & reappear in their pocket.

The Impact: More Than Just Annoyance

Being mansplained to isn't just a fleeting irritation. It has real consequences:

• Erosion of Confidence: Constantly having your knowledge questioned can chip away at your self-belief, making you hesitate to share your ideas or assert your expertise. It’s like being told your voice isn’t worth hearing, slowly dimming your inner light.

• Undermining of Authority: When your contributions are dismissed or re-explained, it diminishes your authority & influence within your team or industry. Imagine trying to lead an orchestra when someone keeps adjusting your tempo & telling you how to conduct. This can seriously impact your FLOWFLOW – hindering your ability to build momentum and lead effectively.

• Stifling Innovation: A culture of mansplaining can create an environment where women are less likely to take risks or propose innovative ideas for fear of being shut down or having their ideas appropriated. It’s like trying to bloom in a garden where someone keeps pruning your petals before you can fully blossom.

Reclaiming Your Roar: Strategies for Navigating the Mansplain

Here's the empowering part: you have the power to reclaim your voice & assert your expertise. Here are some strategies that have helped me, & countless other women I've coached, navigate these tricky situations with grace & firmness:

• The Polite Pushback: Sometimes, a gentle reminder is all it takes. Try phrases like, "Thanks, but I'm familiar with this," or "Actually, I was just about to elaborate on that point." It’s a subtle way of saying, "I've got this handled." For example, if someone starts explaining a basic marketing concept you’ve been using for years, a simple “Thanks, I’ve got a good handle on that” can gently redirect the conversation. Or, imagine you’re pitching a new client acquisition strategy and someone starts explaining the basics of lead magnets – something you already incorporate. A quick, polite "I appreciate the recap, but I’m about to cover how this specific strategy incorporates lead magnets in a unique way" keeps the focus on your expertise.

• The Direct Address: If the mansplaining continues, a more direct approach might be necessary. "I appreciate your input, but I'd like to finish explaining my perspective," can be surprisingly effective. It’s about setting clear boundaries with respect. This reminds me of a time at Apple when a senior colleague kept interrupting me during a product presentation. I finally said, “I’d appreciate it if I could finish my point,” and I kid you not, the room went silent. It was a powerful lesson in owning my space. I felt like a fraud for weeks afterward, wondering if I was truly qualified to be there. I remember one meeting where I let myself get completely derailed by this kind of interruption, and it honestly made me question my own prep for weeks. It taught me the critical importance of having a plan to reclaim my voice in those moments. For instance, during a recent team meeting about our new SparkSpark program, a colleague kept interrupting my explanation of the program’s unique framework. Using a direct but respectful tone, I said, “I’d like to finish explaining the core value proposition before we dive into specific details,” which allowed me to regain control of the conversation and showcase the SparkSpark program effectively.

• The Question Technique: Turn the tables by asking clarifying questions. "Can you help me understand how your explanation adds to the point I was making?" can expose the redundancy or lack of substance in the mansplanation. It’s a powerful way to reclaim control of the conversation. Let’s say someone tries to simplify your carefully crafted marketing strategy. Ask them something like, “I’m curious, how does that simplified approach account for the specific psychographics of our target audience, which, as you know, heavily influence their purchasing decisions?” This can often reveal the superficiality of the mansplanation and subtly highlight your deeper understanding. I’ve also used this technique with clients who question the value of our MomentumMomentum coaching. When someone asks, “Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying time management?” I’ll gently respond with, “I’m curious – how many time management programs integrate AI-powered marketing automation, mindset coaching, and deep work on overcoming limiting beliefs about scaling? That’s the power of MomentumMomentum.”

• The Ally Amplification: If you have allies in the room, enlist their support. A simple, "I think had a great point she was making earlier; I'd love to hear her finish," can be incredibly powerful. It’s about building a supportive ecosystem where everyone’s voice is valued. Consider this scenario: You’re in a meeting discussing potential new marketing channels, and a male colleague starts re-explaining a social media strategy you were outlining, but with a much simpler, less nuanced approach. An ally could chime in with something like, “Actually, I was really intrigued by Carlene’s initial strategy – she was just about to explain how she plans to target micro-influencers for maximum engagement.” That kind of support can instantly shift the dynamic.

• The Documentation & Follow-Up: If the mansplaining involves taking credit for your ideas, document your contributions clearly (emails, meeting minutes) & follow up to reiterate your ownership. It’s about creating a paper trail & ensuring your brilliance is recognized. This is where having strong systems, a key aspect of our FlowFlow pillar, really comes in handy. Keeping detailed records of your contributions can be your best defense against credibility stealers. A perfect example of this is documenting project timelines and deliverables in a shared project management tool like Trello or Asana, with clear attribution for each task. This way, when your “Ready-to-LaunchReady-to-Launch” website package idea magically becomes someone else’s “brilliant new initiative,” you’ve got the receipts to prove its origins.

Building a Better Business: Creating a Culture of Respect

This isn't just about individual battles; it’s about creating a company culture where women’s expertise is valued & respected. Building this culture of respect is part of creating a strong FUELFUEL foundation for yourself and your team. A healthy, thriving business starts with clear communication and mutual support.

• Lead by Example: If you're in a leadership position, actively listen to women on your team, amplify their voices, & create a safe space for them to share their ideas without fear of interruption or dismissal. This sets the tone for the entire organization. Like how during our weekly Femme:Connect community calls, we have a dedicated segment where members can share their biggest wins and challenges without interruption. It creates a supportive space where everyone feels heard.

• Call It Out (Carefully): When you witness mansplaining, consider addressing it directly, but do so with sensitivity to the context & relationship. A private conversation might be more effective than a public call-out, especially initially. You can use phrases like, "I noticed you interrupted a few times; I'd love to hear her complete her thought." Picture this – you’re in a meeting, and a male colleague keeps interrupting a female team member. You could gently intervene with, “Hold on, I think Sarah wasn’t quite finished explaining her point. Sarah, what were you about to say?” This subtle intervention can redirect the flow and signal your commitment to respectful communication.

• Educate & Empower: Create opportunities for your team to learn about unconscious biases, inclusive communication, & the impact of mansplaining. Knowledge is power, & empowering your team with this understanding can create a more equitable & respectful work environment. For instance, sharing articles about inclusive leadership or hosting a workshop on effective communication styles can foster greater awareness within your team.

Reclaiming your voice & expertise isn’t just about winning arguments; it’s about stepping into your power as a leader & owning your brilliance. It’s also about creating a business—& a world—where your contributions are valued & respected. This really speaks to our core value of ActionAction. If you are looking for support on any of these points, our Launch Programme helps you build the systems, strategy and confidence for sustainable success. Find out how we help female entrepreneurs just like you thrive

Carlene Nisbett

Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)

Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift

P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!

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