I think this is a good question, actually. You might ask the person your talking to about a particular work problem what they already know, and you can couch your explanation of whatever the issues around that. We all have to curb some of our normal tendencies (especially those of us who like to go about what we do know) in public life in general. If you’re discussing an issue with a colleague, a man or a woman, but especially a woman, it’s just a good idea to be mindful of this issue in general and how women are often treated in work environments in general. You might still find yourself offering unsolicited knowledge or information, but as long as you make it clear that you’re interested in your colleagues input into whatever you’re doing together, it goes a long way to dealing with this issue.
I don’t think it is, because I can’t know what you’re thinking about this issue. If we’re co-workers and you have some information I need to, say, complete a particular project, some area of expertise that I’m unclear on, and I ask you for advice, then you should certainly offer it - that’s not mansplaining, that’s normal discourse during work, colleagues sharing knowledge. If I’m talking about a project that I know well and you come in and offer advice that wasn’t asked for, even if it’s an area you’re not familiar with and I am, that’s mansplaining. It isn’t just men talking to women, it’s men talking to women as if we’re in need of guidance from men, no matter our level of expertise in an area.
