When you speak in a meeting, do you feel that your words are heard? Or do you feel they disappear into thin air?
In the latest episode of the Guy Osmond Podcast, acoustics expert Paige Hodsman and finance professional Rebecca O’Dwyer explore the fascinating, complex topic of being heard – truly heard – in the workplace. Hosted by Guy Osmond, this conversation delves into the science, psychology and subtle dynamics that shape how we listen, speak and engage with each other at work.
Listen to the full episode here
Why Aren’t People Really Listening?
“Are women being physically heard but not actually listened to?” – Paige Hodsman
Research led by Paige and her colleagues began with one simple question: Why do so many professional women feel unheard in meetings?
The findings revealed four key possibilities:
- Not physically heard – due to voice pitch or poor acoustics.
- Heard, but not listened to – a failure of attention.
- Listened to, but not understood – often due to communication style differences.
- Heard and understood, but ignored – stemming from hierarchy or bias.
The Long History Behind the Problem
The issue is not new. As Paige notes, “Even the ancient Greeks didn’t value women’s voices in public spaces.” The cultural devaluation of female speech has deep roots and legacy literature reflects this divide.
Yet, as workplaces evolve, so must the way we engage with each other across genders, roles and communication styles.
What the Workplace Research Reveals
Rebecca O’Dwyer brings a powerful perspective from the finance industry. Despite her confidence and self-assured communication style, she sees first-hand how ideas can be overlooked depending on who says them, rather than what’s said.
This ties into the phenomenon known as “bro-propriation”: when a woman describes an idea that is ignored or dismissed, only to be praised when a man repeats it shortly afterwards.
It’s Not Just About Gender – It’s About Listening
At its heart, the conversation shifts toward better human communication. Whether hybrid, remote or in-person, modern teams need to improve how they:
- Chair inclusive meetings
- Encourage contributions from introverts
- Define roles clearly to balance participation
- Equip managers to facilitate, not dominate
“We often focus on how to speak. But we rarely teach how to listen.” – Rebecca O’Dwyer
What This Means for Business
Getting this right isn’t just about fairness: it’s about performance. Poor communication leads to poor decisions. The ability to really hear what your colleagues say can dramatically impact collaboration, creativity and employee satisfaction.
In an era of hybrid work and evolving expectations, organisations that listen better will lead better.
Final Thoughts
This episode is more than just an exploration of workplace dynamics – it is a call to rethink the way we meet, lead and relate.
Whether you’re a leader, employee, HR professional – or even a parent! – you will leave this conversation with fresh insights and practical takeaways to foster more respectful and productive communication.
Don’t miss the full conversation – packed with insights, data, and real-world examples.
Listen to “Didn’t I Just Say That?” on the Guy Osmond Podcast on Spotify or find alternative platforms here.