I AM Yelling

I Am Yelling!

There’s a popular book by Elizabeth Leiba titled I’m Not Yelling. It delves into how Black women are perceived in the workplace. It is a great book and recommended reading. Recently I had a dream where I woke up screaming WHAT from a guttural place in my soul.

In the depths of my dream, I found myself with a man who was tormented by a woman who harassed and gaslighted him relentlessly. Together, we sought refuge in a quiet room. As we settled, I began delivering an empowering speech, hoping to lift his spirits and restore his strength. However, our moment of solace was abruptly shattered by a furious pounding on the door. The man cowered slightly, fear etched on his face, while I stood firm and responded with a resolute, "WHAT!"

It dawned on me that the man and woman in the dream symbolized the masculine and feminine aspects of my psyche. It was intriguing to note that, in this dream, my feminine side appeared stronger and more dominant. This realization led me to an important insight: I had been enduring mistreatment for too long, allowing others to diminish my inherent strength. The dream served as a powerful reminder to reclaim my power and not let anyone weaken my stronger side.

As a business owner, I often find myself bottling up a lot of emotions to maintain good customer relations. I tolerate things in a professional setting that I would never accept personally. We've all been taught that "the customer is always right," but sometimes that can be challenging to uphold.

I'll be honest: there's a stigma about the lack of professionalism in some Black-owned businesses, and living in Atlanta, I've seen my share of subpar customer service, whether it's business-to-business or business-to-consumer.

Over the years, I've had to play the roles of bill collector, skip tracer, and even psychologist. There have been times when I've literally and figuratively lost my voice. Finding the right balance between delivering excellent customer service and standing up for yourself can be tricky.

Here are some tips to help navigate this balance:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Make sure your customers understand your policies from the start. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and sets expectations.
2. Stay Professional, But Firm: It’s okay to stand your ground. Being professional doesn’t mean being a pushover. You can be courteous while still asserting your needs and boundaries.
3. Take Care of Your Well-being: Regularly check in with yourself and take breaks when needed. Your mental and emotional health is crucial for maintaining a positive business environment.
4. Delegate When Possible: If certain tasks, like bill collection, are taking a toll on you, consider delegating them to a trusted employee or outsourcing them.
5. Seek Support: Connect with other business owners who understand your challenges. Sharing experiences and advice can provide new perspectives and help you feel less alone.

Balancing customer service and self-advocacy isn't easy, but with these strategies, it can become more manageable.