You're facing a colleague who undermines your ideas. How do you assert your credibility in meetings?

?? "Composure is the ruler of all emotions." – Publilius Syrus ? Sheryl Sandberg, during her time at Google, often faced pushback on her ideas. By staying composed and responding with data-driven insights, she built her reputation as a leader, eventually leading to her role as COO at Facebook.

Staying composed when a colleague undermines your ideas is vital. By keeping your emotions in check and responding calmly, you reinforce your professionalism and strengthen your credibility. A composed reaction not only helps you maintain your dignity but also sets a positive example for others, showing that you can handle challenges with grace and resilience. This approach can often diffuse tension and lead to more constructive conversations, ultimately preserving your standing and influence within the team.

Based on my professional experience, it will always be difficult to handle situations with any of the members of the work team. The confrontational stance or attributing ideas that you considered to be the product of your ingenuity frequently occurs. This situation must be handled very intelligently so as not to fall into the game of the annoyed reaction and expressions of displeasure, because it would expose you to a situation of generalized discredit in your organization.

In the professional field there should always be fair and ethical competition that allows us to interact and evolve in our careers, but it is an ideal that is difficult to achieve, the common standard is rivalry, feelings and expressions of what has been described and even unfounded accusations, in this type of adverse climate it will be best to always look for good and healthy professional alliances that can give an honest opinion of your work or project, you will need them to reaffirm your values and results that will serve as dikes for conflicts generated by professional opinion givers.

?? "Success is best when it’s shared." – Howard Schultz ?? When Satya Nadella was advocating for a cloud-first strategy at Microsoft, he gathered support from key stakeholders. This collaborative approach helped turn his vision into reality, leading to Microsoft's transformation and a market value of over $2 trillion.

Gathering support from colleagues before a meeting where you anticipate opposition is a strategic move. By sharing your ideas in advance and seeking their input, you build a coalition that can bolster your position during discussions. This approach not only makes your proposals more robust through collaboration but also signals that you value teamwork and diverse perspectives. Having allies in the room can make a significant difference, providing both moral and practical support as you present your ideas.

??? "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." – Albert Einstein ?? Elon Musk is known for his ability to break down complex ideas into simple, compelling narratives. By communicating clearly, he not only garners support but also diminishes opposition, driving Tesla and SpaceX toward groundbreaking achievements.

One useful thing I have found in my academic development and in my professional practice is to always be prepared before participating in work meetings; researching in depth the topic you are going to present, identifying clear and precise ideas, classified into main and secondary and their interrelationship between them. The more content you have researched on the topic, the more likely you will be to succeed because you will be the knowledgeable and expert on the subject. It is this security that will allow you to consolidate yourself in the conference and reduce the possibility of undesirable events occurring with your audience.

To assert your credibility, it's crucial to communicate your ideas with clarity and confidence. Use straightforward language and present your points in a well-organized manner to ensure they are easily understood. Avoid using jargon or convoluted explanations, as these can confuse your audience and weaken your position. By clearly and concisely conveying your thoughts, you make it easier for others to grasp and support your ideas, demonstrating both your expertise and your ability to communicate effectively.

The credibility of your speech or project approach depends solely on you. It would be irresponsible to blame your failure on a third party. If you do not prepare by researching, developing theoretical content and supporting your claims, you will be questioned and doubt will be sown in your audience. These consequences are the responsibility of the speaker and not of his audience.

To bolster your credibility, provide solid evidence when presenting your ideas. Use data, case studies, or specific examples to support your points, showing that your suggestions are grounded in thorough research rather than just personal opinions. This approach not only strengthens your arguments but also helps to address and counter any objections from colleagues. By demonstrating that your ideas are well-supported, you reinforce your credibility and make it more challenging for others to undermine your contributions.

When faced with undermining behavior, directly address any concerns raised. Rather than avoiding criticism, use it as a chance to elaborate on your ideas and demonstrate their validity. By proactively addressing concerns, you show preparedness and the ability to defend your proposals effectively. This not only reinforces your credibility but also highlights your dedication to the project's success.

Actively seek feedback on your ideas during and after meetings. This demonstrates your openness to constructive criticism and willingness to refine your proposals. By soliciting feedback, you show that you value others' input and are committed to improving your ideas. This approach can also neutralize potential opposition, as it portrays you as confident and collaborative, enhancing both your credibility and your effectiveness in teamwork.

Under the skin of any cynic is a disappointed believer. Honest engagement, offering the opportunity to participate or even lead in a solution turns alienated into ally. You never know; they were probably right in the first place. Disruptive people are often perceptive and are willing to channel positive engagements in exchange for acceptance. Your objective - find the ally.