Why women should name their ideas in meetings

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?

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?

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

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸: 𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of #mentoring some brilliant women professionals, who are not just talented but deeply dedicated to their work. Yet, many of them have approached me feeling demotivated, not because of a lack of skills or opportunities, but because their contributions were being overshadowed or outright claimed by others. This isn’t just about #confidence; it’s about #fairness & the #courage to set #boundaries. One mentee, a high-performing manager, shared how her ideas were routinely presented as someone else’s in meetings. Another was disheartened after months of leading a project only to see the credit given to a peer. Their stories resonated deeply because 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲. According to Harvard Business Review, 82% of professionals experience credit-snatching, & for many, it directly impacts their career progression. Through the mentoring process, I've helped them develop strategies to reclaim ownership & ensure their contributions were recognized. Here are some strategies that worked: 1. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 One mentee began sharing weekly progress emails with her manager & team, clearly outlining her contributions. This simple step not only increased transparency but also ensured her work was visible to key stakeholders. 2. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 During a team meeting, another mentee confidently reclaimed her idea when someone else tried to take credit. She said, “I’m glad this was brought up, it’s something I explored when I worked on XYZ. Here’s how I think we can take it forward.” It wasn’t confrontational, but it was firm. 3. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 I guided another of my mentee to cultivate allies; peers who could amplify her voice in meetings & advocate for her when she wasn’t in the room. This not only boosted her confidence but also created a stronger team dynamic. 4. 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 Many women hesitate to showcase their achievements, fearing they’ll appear boastful. But 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. I urged a mentee to volunteer for presenting team results at a leadership forum. Her presentation was so impactful that she became the go-to person for similar opportunities. The transformation in my mentees has been inspiring. From feeling sidelined to becoming confident advocates for their work, they’ve proven that taking ownership is empowering. 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲: There's a thin line between standing up for self & self promotion. However, remember that you deserve to be seen & acknowledged for your efforts. As mentors, leaders, & colleagues, it’s on us to foster a culture where no one has to fight for what they’ve earned. #Mentorship #WomenAtWork #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Goals2025