How to Support Women in Male-Dominated Conversations

𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗗 I was once in a meeting where I relayed an idea. I was a VP. There was another male VP in the meeting. And our boss. The meeting went on as if I didn't say anything. Then, the male VP relayed the same idea. And the boss said, "Great idea!" The oversight wasn't necessarily intended. It manifested an unconscious bias that often goes unnoticed in our daily interactions. Recognizing this is the first step toward making meaningful changes. When a woman states an idea, it may be overlooked, but everyone notices when a man repeats it. This is called the “stolen idea.” When a male coworker runs away with a woman’s idea, remind everyone it originated with her by saying something like, “Great idea! I loved it when Katie originally brought it up, and I’m glad you reiterated it.” If someone takes your idea, you can speak up for yourself by saying, “Thanks for picking up on that idea. Here’s my thought. . .” (then add something new). Ways that we can make sure women’s ideas are heard: 1. Invite other women to speak 2. Distribute speaking time equally 3. Ask to hear from women who are being interrupted and spoken over 4. Amplify other women’s ideas by repeating them and giving credit 5. Praise and showcase other women’s work 6. Create systems to distribute “office housework,” such as note-taking, in meetings 7. Share public speaking opportunities with women who have less power or privilege 8. Share pronouns In reflecting on this experience, I'm reminded of the importance of RAW leadership: Being 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 in acknowledging our biases and striving for equity, Being 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 in amplifying and crediting ideas regardless of their source, and recognizing the 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗬 impact of ensuring every voice is heard and valued. By adopting these practices, we can dismantle unconscious biases and create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels seen and heard. How do you ensure all voices are heard in your spaces?

After the launch of Tech Sis, I heard the same question countless times from countless male friends, ecosystem partners, etc. -- "How can I help?" Well, after talking with many abundantly talented women in the fintech/VC/banking spaces, I have some thoughts! I present... 💜 Amplifying Female Voices in the Workplace: A Guide for Male Allies 💜 Creating an inclusive workplace means ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard—and that means allies have an important role to play in helping talented women gain visibility and access to growth opportunities. Here are some ways male allies can champion their female colleagues and move the needle on career equity: Speak Up for Women in Every Room: Support women’s contributions not just publicly but behind closed doors as well. If you’re in decision-making meetings, ask yourself, “Whose voice is missing?” and actively advocate for her input. Allyship is about supporting women where it counts, especially when they're not present. Recommend Women for High-Visibility Roles: When new projects or roles open up, look at the skills women around you bring to the table and put their names forward. Many women face barriers to promotion not due to skill gaps but because they haven’t had the chance to shine. Be the one who brings their name into the spotlight. ✨ Share the Stage, Literally and Figuratively: If you notice women getting interrupted or overlooked in discussions, use your position to bring the focus back to their insights. In meetings, invite their input and be a voice that redirects attention where it’s deserved. On panels or speaking engagements, advocate for gender diversity in lineups and let women lead the conversation whenever possible. 🚨 Sponsor, Don’t Just Mentor: 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨 While mentorship is crucial, sponsorship—actively recommending women for critical career steps—has an even greater impact. Seek ways to sponsor women by vouching for their potential and championing their goals to others in your network. Women often progress faster when they have sponsors pushing them forward in tangible ways. 🚨 🚨 🚨 (Can you tell I really wanted to emphasize this one?) Celebrate Women’s Wins: Be the first to recognize and celebrate women’s successes. Acknowledging accomplishments in a genuine way amplifies their impact and keeps the momentum going for the next opportunity. Every small recognition strengthens a culture of mutual support. Every little step counts when it comes to fostering an inclusive environment. When we’re intentional about allyship, it doesn’t just support individual careers—it changes company culture and creates a stronger, more resilient workforce. We are here to help create spaces where women’s voices aren’t just heard but are truly valued and elevated! 💜 What did I miss? What advice can you offer me to continue to be a champion for my fellow women (and overlooked men) as well? #womeninfintech #womeninfinance #womeninVC

When a woman shares an idea in a meeting - silence. When a man repeats it later - it's "brilliant." Waiting for space doesn’t work for women. You have to take it. How to be heard in a room full of men: 1. Be confident in your speech. Speak with confidence, even if your voice shakes. Be concise. Cut the fluff - get to the point fast. If you’re interrupted, say, “I’d like to finish my point.” Keep going. 2. Back your ideas with facts. Don't say "I think". Instead, say: “This strategy increased revenue by 20%.” Facts demand attention. 3. Attach your name to your ideas. Instead of “Maybe we could test this,” say: “I developed a strategy called X. Here’s how it works.” This makes it harder for someone else to take credit. 4. Support other women. When I saw a colleague’s idea get ignored, I spoke up: “That’s a great point she just made. Let’s go back to that.” And just like that, she had the floor again. 5. Follow up in writing. Summarize your key ideas after meetings. Email a summary: “As we discussed, my recommendation is X.” Now, there’s a record of your contribution. In a world where women’s voices are too often ignored, it’s on us to make sure we’re heard - loud and clear. Your voice matters. Use it, own it, and make sure they listen. P.S. Have you ever had your idea dismissed, only for someone else to get credit?

Yesterday I led a workshop for women in private equity, and one theme kept surfacing: self-advocacy feels impossible when you’re already fighting to belong. It's the paradox these women face every day. They need to speak up more to get noticed, but when they do, they risk being labeled “aggressive.” They need to promote their wins, but they’ve been socialized to let their work speak for itself. They need to build relationships and visibility, but the informal networks often happen in spaces where they’re not invited. Nevertheless, self-advocacy isn’t optional, especially for women working in male-dominated industries. Research shows that women’s contributions are systematically attributed to others, that our ideas need to be repeated by men to be heard, and that our expertise is questioned more frequently than our male colleagues’. Self-advocacy isn’t about being pushy or aggressive. It’s about being intentional with your voice and strategic about your visibility. Here are four concrete ways to advocate for yourself starting today: 1. Master the “credit redirect” When someone repeats your idea, immediately respond with: “Thanks, John. I’m glad you’re building on the solution I proposed earlier. Let me expand on that framework…” This reclaims YOUR ownership while maintaining professionalism. 2. Document your wins in real-time Keep a “victory log” on your phone. After every meeting where you contribute, jot down what you said and any positive responses. Reference these specifics in performance reviews and promotion conversations. 3. Practice strategic amplification Find one trusted colleague who will amplify your contributions in meetings. Agree to do the same for them. When they share an idea, respond with: “Sarah’s point about the data analysis is exactly right, and it connects to…” This mutual support system works. 4. Lose the “self-shrinking” language.  Stop saying “I’m sorry to bother you.” Stop saying “Maybe we could…” Stop saying “I’m wondering if…” Stop saying “I’ll make it quick.” Take up space. Make your mark. Trust that you and your ideas are worthy of other people’s time, energy, and attention (and most certainly your own as well.) The reality is that in many industries, we’re still fighting to be heard. But we don’t have to fight alone, and we don’t have to wait for permission to advocate for ourselves. Your ideas deserve to be heard and you deserve credit for the value you bring. What’s one way you’ve learned to advocate for yourself at work? The women in yesterday’s workshop had some brilliant strategies to share too. #womenleaders #privateequity #womeninmaledominatedindustries

Women, Want to Network Like a CEO? Start by Rethinking the “Old Boys’ Club” Playbook Research from Kellogg shows that women gain the most in networking when they don’t just copy traditional male-dominated strategies. Instead, the best results come when women focus on strategic alliances with other women — but with a twist. This study is more than a “fix the women” story; it highlights systemic gaps in career networking that women can actively navigate and reshape. Here's the playbook for women that I recommend: 🔹 Go Beyond “Visibility”: Central networks matter for everyone, but women benefit most from building connections that share private insights essential for navigating biased structures. These insights, often from trusted women colleagues, can make all the difference in understanding workplace nuances, including the politics and protocols that are frequently unsaid. 🔹 Diversify Close Connections: Avoid echo chambers by connecting with well-networked women who bring unique perspectives from other workplaces, industries and sectors. This diversity amplifies exposure to insights outside of a narrow view, enabling women to approach career challenges with a broader, more strategic lens. 🔹 Invest in a Balanced Network: Successful businesswomen cultivate visibility and depth in their networks — relationships that provide access and specific, actionable guidance. Women can follow this approach by building wide-ranging connections and trusted relationships, offering invaluable, gender-specific career advice. 🔑 Leadership Call to Action 1. Support strategic networks that give women access to public and private information. 2. Host events that encourage diverse, meaningful, strategic mentorships and sponsorships. 3. Coach women to prioritise networking as a core career-building activity—strategically and persistently—because effective networks don’t just happen; they are cultivated with purpose. 4. Provide women with training on building and leveraging a strategic network, in person and online. Further Resources in first comment👇 #Networking #Mentorship #Diversity

Fostering Gender Equity in Leadership: How Storytelling Bridges the Gap 🌉 The journey towards gender equity in the workplace is a shared responsibility, requiring active participation from all genders. Men are crucial in this journey as allies, advocates, and sponsors. Similarly, women can help men understand the nuances of their challenges, guiding them on how best to support their female colleagues. This is where the power of storytelling becomes pivotal. How Men Can Help 🔊 Amplify Women's Voices: Men can use their platforms to amplify the achievements and voices of their female colleagues. This includes endorsing their ideas in meetings, recognising their contributions, and publicly celebrating their successes. 🚪 Open Doors to Sponsorship: By actively sponsoring women for leadership roles and opportunities, men can help bridge the visibility gap. Sponsorship involves more than just mentorship; it’s about advocating for someone’s advancement as if it were your own. 👥 Foster Inclusive Networks: Creating professional networks that are inclusive and diverse helps break down the silos that often hinder women’s access to opportunities. Men can facilitate introductions and invite women into spaces where they have traditionally been underrepresented. How Women Can Help Men Help 📚 Educate Through Storytelling: Sharing personal narratives and experiences with male colleagues illuminates the challenges and biases women face. Stories can foster empathy, understanding, and action far more effectively than statistics alone. 💬 Encourage Open Dialogue: Inviting men into conversations about gender equity and seeking their perspectives can help dismantle defensive barriers. It’s about creating a partnership where both parties feel heard and valued. 🔗 Collaborate on Solutions: Working together to develop actionable strategies for promoting gender equity in the workplace underscores the idea that this is a collective endeavour, not a zero-sum game. Why Storytelling Matters 🌟 Creates Connection: Stories transcend the intellectual to touch the emotional, creating a powerful connection between the storyteller and the listener. This emotional engagement is crucial for fostering genuine understanding and empathy. 🔄 Changes Perspectives: Well-crafted narratives can challenge existing perceptions and biases, paving the way for a deeper understanding of women's systemic challenges in the workplace. ✨ Inspires Action: Stories highlight problems and potential solutions, inspiring listeners to take concrete actions toward fostering an inclusive environment. The path to gender equity in leadership is complex and requires the concerted effort of everyone within the organisation. By leveraging storytelling, we can bridge gaps in understanding, foster empathy, and drive meaningful action towards a more equitable workplace. P.S. Can you recall a story that changed your perspective on gender equity in the workplace? How did it inspire you to act? #story

“Women need to speak up more.” No, men need to listen. All week, I’ve seen the same Women’s Day advice repeated like a broken record. “Women need to speak up.” “Women need to be confident.” "Women must break the glass ceiling." "Women need to lean in and assert themselves." But no one talks about where the real problem is. Last year, I got a project request from a founder based in Surat. He invited me to visit his office to finalize a ghostwriting deal. I went there. During our first meeting, his secretary was present. She suggested some content ideas. And honestly? They were solid. Well thought out. But the CEO barely acknowledged them. She sat there. Waiting. Hoping for a response. 3 days later, the deal was closed. I visited his office again for a discovery session. This time, his product manager suggested some ideas. And I realized—they were almost the same as what his secretary had suggested that day. But this time, the CEO’s response was quite different. “Brilliant!” So I feel the problem isn’t that women don’t speak up. It’s that they have to fight for the same space we men are just given. Want more female voices in leadership? Stop telling women to “be louder.” Start making the room quieter so their voices actually get heard. PS: To every woman who’s had to repeat herself just to be taken seriously—Happy Women’s Day. Wishing you rooms where your voices don’t have to compete to be heard. 💜

Yesterday was #InternationalWomensDay and tons of men shouted out women on LinkedIn. First, thank you for the love! Second, shoutouts are not structural change. Here are some ideas for things you can do when it's not March 8th that will change the world. ✅ Explicitly name that incompetent men put women down because it's their only strategy. Say it, to them, with your whole chest. ✅ Ask the guy on your team if he's gone to any ally events for the women's ERG. If not, ask him why. Then, take him to the next one. ✅ Talk to your (male) friends about the mental load, and work together to be equal partners in carrying it. Have a zero tolerance policy for misogyny in your friend group -- that probably means you need to cut some people. ✅ Audit your media ecosystem. Intentionally read and watch what women are saying on ever topic that interests you. ✅ Name out loud when women are exceptional. Do it when there are economic opportunities attached. Measure your impact by dollars in bank accounts, stretch assignments granted, and promotions achieved. ✅ Hire us to lead and then trust us when we do. Even when you think we aren't likeable (because you've interrogated that socialised internal voice that can't stand women in charge). ✅ Take your full parental leave loudly. Talk about your kids at work, and sign up to be the primary parent the school calls when there's an issue. And do all of this with a specific consideration for women who are intersectionally marginalised. Women of colour, disabled women, trans women. Put them *first* on your priority list of who you put your effort into supporting.

How can men amplify women’s voices in the workplace and beyond? As someone who has transitioned from female to male in the workplace, here are my top tips: ✨ Avoid phrases like "Of course I'm a feminist; I have a wife and daughters." These performative statements are counterproductive. ✨ Celebrate women in your workplace year-round, not just on International Women’s Day. Sponsor, mentor, and champion them for opportunities without prompting or thinking about brownie points for your appraisal. ✨ Mansplaining is when a man explains something condescendingly to a woman because he presumes she will not understand. Check yourself and others by politely interrupting when it happens. ✨ Call out anyone speaking over a woman in a meeting or social setting. I've found myself having to do this several times since I've transitioned, and it frustrates me that men remain complacent and let this behaviour continue. ✨ Male allies are important, but don’t host all-male panels on women's issues or International Women's Day. As a trans man, I refuse to sit on such panels. Women deserve to be at the centre of these events; they don't need another man speaking for them. It's crucial that any marginalised group - women, people of colour, or LGBTQ - be consulted on any issues impacting them. Anytime they’re not being heard, ask for their opinion. Remember that any positive action you implement sets a strong example and creates a ripple effect.

How to (female) Diplomat: Navigating Male-Dominated Spaces (Without Losing Your Dignity, Self Respect and Authenticity) A very senior ambassador once threw a top secret briefing on the ground in front of me—fully expecting I’d pick it up. A calculated power move, dressed up as carelessness. I let it lie there. After all, his arms weren’t broken. Instead, I met his eyes and said, “I think you dropped something, Ambassador.” Then waited. Silence. Eventually, he bent down and picked it up. I realised something that day: Some people test you just to see if they can. And if you play along, they’ll keep pushing the boundary. I’ve spent years being the only woman in the room – whether in the army or diplomacy. Sometimes the youngest, too. And often, the only one not trying to prove I belonged by mimicking the men around me. Because here’s the real power move: 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. Trying to blend in might feel like the safest option, but in diplomacy or business, it’s your differences that make you effective. So, if you find yourself in a room where the rules weren’t written with you in mind, try this: 1️⃣ 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Ever notice how some men tend to take up space—physically, vocally, and in decision-making? Don’t shrink. Take the seat at the table. Speak first if you have something valuable to say. → 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 2️⃣ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 I once watched a male colleague dismiss a female diplomat’s input in a negotiation—only for him to miraculously propose the same idea 15 minutes later. Instead of calling it out directly, she let him own it and subtly reinforced the idea so it stuck. The win mattered more than the credit. Every single person in that room knew where the credit lay. → 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗴𝗼. 3️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 Not everyone in the room wants to see you succeed. But some do. Spot the quiet power brokers—the ones who influence decisions without being the loudest. → 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. Some of your best allies might be men. 4️⃣ 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗼𝗻 “𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆” Ever been told you’re too direct? Or not assertive enough? Too friendly. Or not friendly enough. The double bind is real. But instead of playing an impossible game, reframe it: →𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲? 𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳? If the answer is yes, likeability is a bonus, not the goal. 5️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀—𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 Whether it’s a demeaning “joke,” being interrupted, a door deliberately slammed in your face—set the boundary. Then hold it. Because the moment you don’t, they’ll push it further. 💡 You don’t need to be louder, tougher, or “one of the guys.” You just need to be strategic about how you show up. What’s worked for you in male-dominated spaces? Let’s share the playbook. 👇