I got Splained this week.
And just stood there and took it. I might’ve even said thank you!
And now I’m cross.
I should’ve stuck up for myself.
I know what I’m talking about. I have 25 years of experience. And I do the continuous work. And always open to develop thinking further. In fact moments before the room was in debate which is brilliant.
But this wasn’t that.
It came in disguise, as advice. I didn’t ask for advice. I was the speaker.
I shared on LinkedIn and said Mansplaining, but later I witnessed the same person also doing it to another man, completely undermining a very experienced man with his ‘wisdom’.
So it’s Splaining.
Someone asked me why I didn’t think it was just helpful advice. That’s simple - it wasn’t. I didn’t ask for advice.
Discussion, debate, building on ideas, offering a different point of view is very different to telling someone why they ‘are wrong’.
Anyway.
Everyday a learning opportunity.
I’m not sure how I’d handle it differently. The man handled it by saying ‘thank you, interesting’ and walking off. Maybe it’s as simple as that.
Splain.
eleanor