I called out an all-male panel – a manel – last week and one of the panellists responded with the reply: “Merit trumps all.”

I checked yesterday and he has apparently now deleted that comment. No acknowledgement, apology, or comment that it might have been wrong.

I wrote about this three years ago. I’ve been pushing for better representation for much longer. And here’s what still lands wrong about the merit defence.

It assumes the system which decides what “merit” looks like is neutral.

It isn’t.

It assumes everyone gets seen equally, invited equally, given the same shot at building the reputation that earns you an invite.

They don’t.

The pool we’re drawing from is already filtered, and that’s the problem.

Visibility isn’t decoration. It’s how people decide who the experts are. It’s how the recognised talent pool expands. Or doesn’t.

• If you’re running events, make balanced panels a minimum part of the brief, not an afterthought.
• If sponsors get speaking slots, ask for women speakers.
• If you’re invited to speak and see an all-male line-up, ask who else is on stage before you accept.
• Make balance a condition, or suggest someone.
• If a woman says no once, ask again – with a different format, a different time, a different setup.
• If you’re chairing, ask women on the panel the questions first. Pair new speakers with experienced chairs. Amplify audience questions from women first. Amplify women in the online session chat.

And if you’re a woman reading this, pitch yourself. Contact organisers. Volunteer for podcasts. Write the article. Don’t wait to be discovered.

This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about doing what we say matters.

Three years on, I’m still saying it. Still pushing back. Still turning down events that don’t get it right.

Because if we’re serious about progress, it shows up on stage.

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#GenderEquality #WomenInBusiness #Diversity #ItStartsWithMe