The Silent Struggle in the Boardroom

Picture this: you’re in a leadership meeting, articulating a well-thought-out idea. The room falls silent. Moments later, a male colleague echoes a similar sentiment, and suddenly, the discussion ignites with enthusiasm. You sit there, questioning your contribution and wondering if your voice truly matters.

This scenario is not just anecdotal; it’s a shared experience among many women in leadership. Far too many of my clients share experiences of self-doubt after being on the receiving end of this dynamic in the workplace. 

The feeling of being overlooked, interrupted, or having someone else be recognised for your contribution is a pervasive challenge that undermines confidence and professional growth.

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The Research Speaks: Gender Dynamics in Communication

It’s not just you; the research tells the same story. This isn’t about isolated incidents. It’s a systemic issue backed by decades of evidence.

• Interruptions Are Gendered
  As women, we are more likely to be interrupted than our male colleagues. A study from George Washington University found that men interrupted women 2.1 times on average during a three-minute conversation, compared to 1.8 times when speaking with other men.
  
• Perceived Competence and Authority
  We often have to work harder to be seen as credible. Mary Ann Sieghart’s research in The Authority Gap shows how women’s expertise and authority are routinely underestimated. Even when we are highly qualified or experienced, our ideas are often met with more skepticism, or are only taken seriously once validated by someone else, usually a man.
  (If you haven’t listened to my podcast interview with Mary Ann, it’s a must-listen. You can access it here
  
• Meeting Dynamics
  In meetings, we regularly see our contributions overlooked or attributed to others. Studies published in Harvard Business Review highlight how women’s voices are less likely to be acknowledged or remembered, especially in mixed-gender groups. It’s no wonder so many of us walk away from meetings feeling invisible, deflated, and exhausted.
  

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Navigating the System: Evidence-Based Strategies That Help

While systemic change is essential, there are things we can do – as women in leadership – to navigate these challenges and support one another along the way.

Here are strategies I’ve seen work, both in the research and in real life:

Speak Early and with Intention: Research shows that those who contribute early in meetings are perceived as more authoritative. Speaking up early can help establish our presence and signal leadership from the outset.

Use Language That Reflects Your Authority: We’re often socialised to soften our speech, using phrases like “I just think…” or “Sorry, but…”. Try to catch those habits. Using clear, direct language communicates confidence and helps others take our ideas seriously.

Support and Amplify Other Women’s Voices: One of the most powerful things we can do is amplify each other. In the Obama administration, women staffers used a strategy called amplification – repeating and crediting each other’s ideas to ensure they were acknowledged. Try something like:  “I’d like to return to what Sarah said earlier – her point about client strategy was key.”

Establish Ground Rules for Meetings: Where possible, advocate for clear meeting norms such as no interruptions, time-limited speaking slots, or round-robin sharing. These kinds of structures help level the playing field and foster more inclusive dialogue.

Bring Allies In: Identify colleagues – especially male allies – who are willing to advocate for your contributions and reinforce your ideas in the room. A well-timed, “That’s a great point, and I think Nicky was getting at that earlier!” can shift the tone of the conversation.

Follow Up in Writing: If your point didn’t land in the moment, follow up with a brief email or summary. It reinforces your thought leadership and creates a written record of your contribution.

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You’re Not Alone – And You’re Not Imagining It

Let me say this clearly: you are not imagining it. The barriers are real. But your voice and insights are powerful – and deserve to be heard.

Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep claiming our space. And let’s make sure that no woman in leadership feels that her contributions aren’t heard and valued.