Minor deficiencies in "The Queen is Dead"... and speaking up at work.

This post is aimed at those seeking to find a voice at work but struggling to... using a convoluted metaphor about my love of The Smiths.

My introduction to The Smiths came via Morrissey's Bona Drag album. Songs like "Suedehead" and "Every day is Like Sunday" spoke to my angsty teenage self, it was bloody brilliant. I loved The Smith's message that being an outsider, a misfit is OK. I delved into their back catalogue, via The World Won't Listen, before stumbling onto The Queen is Dead a little late.

It's officially one of the best albums in the world EVER, and considered The Smiths masterpiece.

But to me, the Queen is Dead was a mixed bag. How can anyone really love "Vicar in a Tutu"? or "Frankly Mr Shankly"? or "Some Girls are Bigger than others"? They are almost novelty records to my ears even if the lyrics are clever. There's still much to love in the album: the opening drums of "The Queen is Dead", "I know Its Over" and more, but I don't revere this album - dare I speak up? Dare I go against the prevailing view?

At times in my own career I've been fearless: unafraid to speak truth to power- and often its been (afterwards) a positive even cathartic experience. Recently I was on a call with FTSE COO, and he remarked that it was those that challenged and spoke up that are remembered. Even if the opinion riled at the time then it usually provokes reflection afterwards.

Other times, I didn't speak up because of a fear of looking foolish or being seen as 'awkward'. I've been slapped down for offering a counter view. I've had the powerful take pleasure in seeing me 'tripped up'. Being in Procurement it was over a silly number discrepancy (and it was an avoidable error so definitely a shot in my own foot). When this happens, the more junior member of the relationship leaves these sessions deflated, fearful and less likely to speak up next time. Probably questioning their self-worth and their future in the company.

Fear & power.

Fear of looking stupid. Fear of being wrong or foolish. Of punishment, Of being excluded from the tribe. Of conflict. Or simply not meeting standards or deadlines that you set yourself. Fear is a pugnacious influence in our work interactions.

Perhaps you've started a new role, having been out of work for a while. Perhaps you are suffering under the torture of being placed on a "Performance Improvement Plans" with the corporate humiliation that that entails. Or you may simply be new to an industry, function or topic. Or worrying about a client or the boss rejecting your work or ideas. You are most likely to speak up when you feel empowered and powerful. And least likely to speak up when you are fearful or powerless.

Daring to challenge.

Fear and powerful others have a significant impact on career and job performance. A desire to please the powerful can sometimes trump our desire to do the right thing and speak up. I've seen others make the challenge, but fluff their lines. I see this internal conflict frequently. Our instincts encourage us to stay silent or shut down- it is really hard to speak up or speak out! When is the time to speak up? and how to make your point well? Here's a few tips:

1. Building your self-confidence

• Expertise and data. Can you evidence your view, do you have the data to stand by your view if challenged? If you go against the flow, take comfort that you've done your homework.
• Test the water through syndication to build advocacy. Have a few knowledgeable friends help you test your views and opinions before going for broke. Then, as a minimum you have some allies in the vicinity who understand where you are coming from and can support, even silently.
• Use tricks to gain confidence. Power pose. Sing the Rocky theme tune. It may sound silly, but going into big meetings or pitches I still mentally hum the 'A-team' theme tune as a way of boosting my energy levels.

2. To pipe up or not?

• Is it the right time? Raise the new or unpopular viewpoint at the right moment. If you are in a big room setting, consider if calling out the boss on a mistake is going to make them feel comfortable? Consider the location for speaking up. A 121 may be best, or a team meeting, but think through how and when to get a receptive audience.
• Are you in the right mindset? Are you feeling energised and up for the challenge or is the fear overwhelming you still? Nerves, emotion, frustration and other factors mean you may not get your point across well enough. Practice the message until its not emotional before delivering it. Are you ready to respond to any push-back without those emotions kicking in?

3. Delivering the message well

• Plan your opening sentence. If you observe a poor behaviour, a quick sharp "Oooft, that wasn't good/cool/funny." can sometimes get the message across succinctly and clearly that you didn't like what you saw without having to launch into a monologue of hectoring. "I know you're pretty set on this, but I think there could be a better way/ is more data to think about" is a non-threatening way of challenging the decision maker who has made their mind up without the facts. Perhaps better than the blunt "You are wrong/ I don't agree with what you" or "Shut up, fool!"* for more sensitive topics.
• Challenge kindly. It's generally not a great idea to make the person you are seeking to influence feel under attack. Challenging the boss, challenging a view, challenging a behaviours can go wrong if handled badly. It can add strain to the relationship, possibly forever damage it, if done poorly. Consider the target recipient, their style, how they prefer to communicate, to maximise impact. It's perfectly normal for someone with long held belief or position or viewpoint to react negatively to feedback if its delivered in a hostile or threatening way, so frame the argument or point sensitively and imagine how they will feel when challenged.

Back to The Smiths and The Queen is Dead: Only 60% of that albums is fantastic and there is 40% filler.

Finally. After 25 years, I said it out loud. Glad I got that of my chest.

Now off to play Evermore and Folklore. They are undisputedly classics in the making :) and at least @beth seager agrees with me.

I am a Procurement and Sales leader that can help you transform or succeed on either side of the commercial divide. I also write articles on linkedin on procurement, sales, music and working styles (that very few people read) because I can't seem to write in the short-form required of regular posts.