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In an office setting, the Bropropriator
appropriates credit for another’s work:
presenting the ideas of his team as his
own, accepting credit for an idea that
wasn’t his, or sometimes even doing
nothing at all and still ending up with
credit. When it comes to women in
particular, Bropropriation is backed
up by fact: women are less likely to
have their ideas correctly attributed
to them, and we have a centuries-long
history to prove it.THE FIGHT
MOVES:
Tough Talk It’s pretty
hard for someone to
take credit for your
idea if you deliver it
with such authority
that nobody can
forget it. So speak up- no ums, sorrys, or
baby voice allowed. Use active,
authoritative words that show
you’re taking ownership of what
you’re saying. Not “I wonder what
would happen if we tried ...” but
“I’d suggest we try ...”
Thank-n-yank Yank the credit right
back – by thanking them for liking
your idea. It’s a sneaky yet highly
effective self-crediting manoeuvre
that still leaves you looking good. Try
any version of: “Thanks for picking up
on my idea” ; “Yes! That’s exactly
the point I was making” ; “Exactly.
So glad you agree – now let’s talk
about next steps”. Sure, sometimes
a biting “Is there an echo in here?”
may also work, but the thank-n-yank
softens the edge.
Wingman Find a buddy – and
maybe even a buddy who is a dude.
Ask him to nod and look interested
when you speak. Let him back you
up publicly in meetings.
Have him affirm
what you say. When
somebody tries to
take credit for your (or
others’) work, watch as
he speaks up: “Yeah,
like Jess said.” He
corrects the problem,
you get the applause,
and you don’t have to
say a word.
E-vidence Keep an email
evidence dossier. If you’ve put
forth an incredible idea in public,
follow up with an email to your
higher-ups summarising your idea
after the meeting – and copy in
whomever necessary to let them
know it’s on the record.
Snaps If you hear an idea you like
from a woman, support her publicly.
Nod; say “yes!”; clap your hands; or
even snap your fingers.The Stenographucker treats you
like the office secretary, even when
it’s clear you’re not: asking casually
if you’d “mind taking notes”, copying
you in on his travel arrangements,
or ordering you to “grab coffee” for
a client (your client).THE FIGHT MOVES:
Bad Barista Do what digital strategist
Aminatou Sow does: when male
colleagues ask her to make coffee,
she tells them politely that she would
be happy to do so, if only she knew
how – her mother told her never to
learn how to make coffee so she
wouldn’t end up having to make it.
Throw to a Bro That is, backhand this
assignment by suggesting another guy
for the job. “I’m actually on the hook
for a big presentation right now. But
you know who’s actually great at
making spreadsheets? Brad over here.
Brad is excellent at making
spreadsheets.” Other possible
comebacks include “Would you like
me to get you coffee while I’m at it?”
and “Are your hands broken?”
Put the Phucker in His Place I once
heard a story of a female CEO who
was chastised by a colleague for being
out of Diet Coke in a board meeting
that she was chairing. Instead of
getting upset, she turned to the man
and said sweetly, “I’ll be sure to add
that to the agenda for next time.”
He shut up immediately.
No Volunteers Allowed Research
shows unequivocally that the majority
of secretarial tasks fall to women, but
women are also more likely to say yes
to doing them – and to volunteer of
their own accord. Saying no can be
difficult. But here’s one thing that’s
not: not offering in the first place.THE ENEMY:
THE STENOGRAPHUCKERTHE ENEMY: THE BROPROPRIATORReady yourself
to combat the
office sexist.WOMEN ARE LESS
LIKELY TO HAVE THEIR
IDEAS CORRECTLY
ATTRIBUTED TO THEMFACTGETTY IMAGES. © 2016 JESSICA BENNETTThis is an extract from
Feminist Fight Club: An
Office Survival Manual
(For a Sexist Workplace)
by Jessica Bennett,
(Portfolio Penguin,
$29.99); penguin.com.au.@WORK