I was at an event this week and was lucky enough to spend some time in a really useful session with a great woman speaker. It was well managed, well delivered, and kept my interest. Near the end the speaker was open to questions.

I had a few things to ask, but, we didn’t need to hear from a man in a majority female audience, so I waited and a question was asked by the woman sitting next to me. Great question, great answer. I knew I could chat to the speaker after the session – no need for me to take up space in the room.

A moment’s wait and then a man entered the game.

A man who wanted to challenge part of the content the speaker had mentioned. A man who felt it was appropriate to make a statement about the content and then think out loud and work through until he happened upon a question. And this question prompted him to add a second question for the speaker, and then a third question.

The speaker had been given three questions as a group in quick time which they answered really well. So the man, since he still had the mic, asked a fourth question.

And then time ran out.

Men reading this post, please don’t do this.

Don’t try and disprove the speaker. Don’t make statements disguised as questions to disprove the speaker. Don’t ask four questions and take all the time up.

Do keep quiet and let women speak in open sessions. Do make a note to catch up with people AFTER the event to discuss the content. Do leave space for others.