The term male chauvinism first emerged after World War 2 when women started working and earning. This newly gained financial independence of women started threatening many men, who were till then the sole breadwinners of every family. Over the years, many have started accepting that every place, be it home or office, is an equal-opportunity zone. However, male chauvinists is still not completely a thing of past. They still exist and dealing with them can be quite tricky and annoying. Here are five ways to counter a male chauvinist at workplace. 

1.Sharpen your skills and stay updated 

It is very normal to feel hurt or angry when a co-worker looks down upon you. It is important that you acknowledge your feelings and allow yourselves to heal by focusing on work, thereby feeling good about yourself. Make yourself so competent that you can argue well when the time comes. 

2.Have a positive body language 

Research at Harvard and Columbia Business Schools shows that simply holding your body in expansive, high-power poses (leaning back with hands behind the head and feet up on a desk, or standing with legs and arms stretched wide open) for just two minutes stimulates higher levels of testosterone—the hormone linked to power and dominance—and lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. So, whenever you feel little low on confidence, you should go for high power pose. It leads to increased feelings of power and a higher impact on others. 

3.Ignore him when it is not a work related interaction 

The best way to handle people who are too full of themselves is to simply ignore. . Let them brag about their lives. Why should you bother? Getting provoked is only going to add to your frustration. You can gently make your way out of the conversation when you do not agree. These are the kind of people who want you to feel irritated or jealous and if you are not even interested, it will throw them off. This is also a kind way to let them know you don't approve of what he does. However, when it is a professional meeting, don't hesitate to put your point across. 

4.Speak up when necessary 

Don't do character assassination, come what may. Directly accusing a male chauvinist will only make him go defensive and put you in a bad light. If you don't agree with something professionally, say it openly. Make it clear and loud. 

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