It can be difficult... to not lead the conversation once it's going. I find men don't like women with a lot of questions, even well placed, posed ones.

Allowing at least 7 seconds of silence is a good measure, and will give others time to think and say something...as awkward as it might feel.

Yes, I agree with Rhapsody... I used to keep track on a notepad (in meetings) and for each time I wanted to say something, I would put a tally mark down, and then for each 5 marks, I would speak once.