Elevate Your Presence: Stand Up, Speak Up and Transform Your Career
Amidst the fast-paced hustle and bustle of the professional world, finding your voice isn't just a personal triumph; it's a strategic move that can shape your career trajectory. Have you ever grappled with the challenge of speaking up, facing the fear of judgment, anxiety about articulation, and the confidence conundrum? It’s crucial to learn how to break the silence and speak up. Well so have I – luckily, my parents taught me early on to speak up and express my opinions. To get out there, on the stage and just do it! Even though I still get nervous, I’ve developed some techniques to ensure I can, and do, do it anyway.
Why Speak Up?
Speaking up isn't just about sharing your thoughts; it's about becoming a driving force in the collective intelligence of your team. Your unique perspective, insights, and expertise matter and your voice needs to be heard. By giving your opinion you can shape decisions, foster collaboration, and lead to the team innovative solutions. By speaking up you also establish your presence within the team or organization by actively contributing to discussions, enhancing your visibility and reputation. In addition, active participation showcases your engagement, positively impacting your career advancement opportunities.
I remember a particular meeting, early in my career, where speaking up really made a difference to the meeting and my confidence. I was presenting some data for a board to make a decision. I had prepared well, so I knew how to explain and manipulate the data to get my message across. I was still very junior in the organisation, but due to my intensive revision and my positive self-talk before the meeting when I saw an opening I was able to speak confidently, offer options and eventually guide the board to a workable decision. Soon after this meeting I was offered a promotion. I had demonstrated my value, commitment and skills and these were recognized and then rewarded!
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Breaking the Silence
Do you find it challenging to break the silence in professional discussions? It’s easier said than done, right? It’s far simpler to choose to stay silent, let others speak up and share their ideas and opinions. Here’s a few reasons why we do this:
1.???? Fear of judgment: The concern that your ideas might be met with skepticism or judgment can create a barrier, making it difficult to step into the conversation. What if I say something silly that no one agrees with? What if I come across as arrogant or ignorant?
2.???? Anxiety about articulation: The fear of stumbling over words or not expressing yourself clearly can be a significant deterrent, especially when you're vying for your voice to be heard among your peers. This is especially prevalent when we’re working across languages. What if I make a mistake? What if I can’t find the right word?
3.???? Risk of Conflict Avoidance: Some of us shy away from speaking up to avoid potential conflicts or disagreements. The fear of disrupting harmony in the team or appearing confrontational can be a significant deterrent. What if I offend someone? What if someone thinks I’m speaking out of turn or stepping on their toes?
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Rise above the challenges
Being able to overcome these challenges truly can make a difference to how you are seen, how you feel and ultimately to your career.? I’m often worried about others’ opinions of me, my unusual kiwi accent (or accent when I speak French) and sometimes find myself holding back when I have a different opinion or potentially controversial suggestion, but with the use of the following techniques I’ve progressed in my career and personal endeavours and you can too!
Here are a couple of techniques:
1.???? The Power of Preparation: ?Equip yourself with knowledge about the topic at hand. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel in contributing to the discussion. Preparedness breeds confidence. This means scheduling time in your calendar to not only read through the agenda but prepare some talking points on the agenda items that you wish to intervene on. Then practice making your point, out loud! This will train your mouth to align with your brain and you’re more likely to get your message across concisely and confidently.
2.???? Start Small, Build Big: Begin by making small contributions to discussions. Gradually increasing your involvement will help build your confidence over time. It’s about progress, not perfection. Getting a comment into the conversation early is a related technique which helps you break the barrier of entry. Once you’ve spoken once, it’s easier to intervene later.
3.???? Learn to manage your nerves: Our fears are natural but shouldn’t stop us from doing what we need and want to do! There are many techniques to manage nerves – from breathing, positive visualisations, power poses, mantras and so on. Once you learn how nerves feel for you and how to manage them you will feel more confident to stand up and speak up.
4.???? Embrace the Pause: Don’t be afraid of a momentary pause. Collect your thoughts, and when you speak, your words will carry more weight. It shows thoughtfulness, not hesitation. Take your time to deliver your message and you will appear more professional and in control, instead of rushed and apologetic.
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5.???? Seek Supportive Spaces: Identify environments where your opinions are valued and respected. This can provide a supportive platform for you to practice and strengthen your voice. This could be your direct team or speaking up at your local Toastmasters club.
6.???? (My personal favourite) Recruit some cheerleaders to help you on your confidence-boosting journey. Approach some friendly colleagues who can encourage you, open the floor for discussion and create a welcoming experience.
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Remember, your perspective is valuable, and your voice deserves to be heard. Let's encourage each other to break the silence, step into the spotlight, and contribute to the a professional dialogue.
Curious about how to take this to the next level? I invite you to join me at the "Elevate Your Presence" event, where we'll delve deeper into strategies for effective communication and confidence building, that make a lasting impact in professional spaces.
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?? Join me on stage at "Elevate Your Presence"! ??
Register to secure your spot at : https://academy.presentpotential.ch/pl/2148026379
Get ready to step out onto your life stage with confidence! Shine in any spotlight and improve your ability to communicate with impact, whether at work, in personal relationships, or in social settings.
Let's not just break the silence; let's shatter it together.
Share your thoughts on overcoming the fear of speaking up below. How do you navigate these challenges, and what advice would you give to fellow professionals struggling to find their voice?
I look forward to seeing you on 1 February 2024!
?Helen von Dadelszen is on a mission to help professionals speak with more confidence. As the founder of the Present Potential Academy , she provides practical coaching and training on a range of speaking and presentation skills.
Her superpower is unlocking professionals' potential when they speak - whether it's in front on their industry, their board, their staff or a potential funder or client. She believes that finding the right words and matching that with a confident and professional delivery leads to success. She specialises in using the voice and body effectively and teaching pesky butterflies to fly in formation. Helen works mostly with non-native English speakers and those from academia, NGOs and the healthcare field.
Profitability Expert @ Verolead Biz Solutions | Strategist | Partner to Owners, Founders, and CXOs of SMBs to accelerate from cash flow stability to profits to sustainable profitability!
10 个月Helen von Dadelszen thank you for your post! As I read this morning, something came to me. I remember there were times and are times I haven’t spoken up because of feeling I did not have the right tone or approach to step into a discussion. I was paralyzed by wanting to sound a certain way. Right down to my physical voice. I am doing something about that! I am all signed up for 1 Feb. It feels amazing as I anticipate the night!