Of all the challenges that women face at work, perhaps the most persistent and powerful is the problem of men talking over women, mansplaining, and repeating their ideas as if they were their own. You want to call it out, but what's the best approach for having the conversation so that it ends on a positive rather than confrontational note? In my "Two Questions" interview with Jessica Herrin, founder and CEO of Stella & Dot, the online jewelry and fashion site, she explained a smart way to have this difficult conversation.

Founder and CEO of Stella & Dot Jessica Herrin (left) speaks on a panel about overcoming gender bias. Marla Aufmuth | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images

"If you ever feel like you're not being heard," Herrin said, "I would go address the person who was talking over you and say, 'Hey, listen, I bet you didn't intend to do this but this is how I felt during the meeting. What would make you an even more valued partner for me is if we walked out of a meeting and we both felt heard.'" She added: "I think you have to assume that the people doing it to you are not doing it because they're nefarious, that they're not doing it because they don't value you and that they don't have ill-intent. They just have habits that they need to break, and they'll be on your side if you go up to them without an angry accusation." In fact, the secret to this strategy is that it creates an aspirational goal for the male colleague, rather than pointing out a shortcoming.

Presenter Brooke Anderson and CEO and founder of Stella & Dot Jessica Herrin attend Stella & Dot VIP Trunk Show. Ari Perilstein | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images