Speaking Up At Work Made Easy
It’s always an employees’ dilemma to just shut their mouth whenever they feel they have to say something. Maybe it’s an easier choice for them than creating unnecessary conflicts or even to lose a job. Sometimes it is a safer choice than facing consequences or be ignored at the end.
The good news is you are not the only one dealing with this kind of issue. According to a Harvard Business School study, half of multinational companies’ employees feel and find it hard to speak up or even do the untraditional work routines. This initially becomes one of the reasons for business incompetence or loss at your end.
Nothing impresses a boss more than knowing your own input and believing on it by sharing it whether in meeting or to your co-workers. Here are some tips that you can use to be confident and to face your fears.
Get-over that Fear!
Don’t concentrate on the negative possibilities that you think might happen if you speak up. A lot of company managers value their employees’ idea especially when it comes to dealing with customers and how policies affect the business in reality.
Be an effective employee by sharing what you know and your skills:
1. The long run. Don’t think of the embarrassing moment you’ll face if one idea doesn’t work out the way everybody should expect. Just work on it and don’t expect too much. Focus on the things you’ll acquire in the long run of leading.
2. Let your ideas out. It’s more efficient to work your mind through ideas than leaving it with hesitations and anxiety. Do grab the opportunity to say something useful while discussions are up the moment.
3. Be prepared. Make a spare time for research before any meetings start. It is always good to back your ideas up with current studies so you can present them with fewer questions. Fight your insecurities.
4. Hit a question. If you can’t say so much about a certain topic, you can always cooperate by asking questions. This also shows you are interested.
Leave your Doubts Behind!
Maybe you don’t have the courage to showcase your ideas because they seem uninteresting for you. Well, if you always think that way then you’ll never get over it. Here are some tips that you can use to make an impact.
1. Be optimistic. Show your colleagues that you got the positivity in you. Present your creative and innovative ideas that would deal less time and more quality. Keep everybody on track by accepting suggestions.
2. Right timing work better. Always put into consideration the proper time to introduce any ideas like during company or team retreats. Don’t go rushing it during hectic and emergency meetings.
3. Identify your associates. Looking and bonding with people who have the same interest as you do will also make it easier to open more ideas and be more productive. Talking and learning with them will also let you grow and have more influence.
Additional Tips:
There will always be more challenging situations that may get along your way. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for it.
1. Be an active member. If you are new, don’t wait until someone asks you to do something or to participate. Present yourself and make that first impression of an active member. Don’t get left behind and speak up.
2. Talk to your boss without hesitations. Communicating is always a key to be identified especially when you are working in a space where there’s a lot of competency. A simple communication without hesitations will stick to someone even if it’s not all the time, especially if you present yourself for help anytime. Greet your boss and tell them they can always count for your assistance.
3. Balance yourself. Gossip will always be part of a workplace. Balance the way you’ll handle people who loves to talk for fun and those who mean what they say. Always take one step back and make sure you won’t make any unethical moves. Keeping your record healthy is always safe.
4. Agree to disagree. Disagreements on different viewpoints can happen in a workplace. You can use this to show that you can argue with respect and agree not to disagree on things that can be communicated. At the end good terms can be made.
Speaking out is a communication that is an advantage for you, your co-workers and your employer. Sharing your thoughts can create different ideas and can solve issues too. This is also one way of getting to know each other and how to handle each other inside your workplace.