Lean Out Loud #2: Why Challenging the Status Quo is the Key to Success in the Professional World

Are you tired of staying silent and holding back in your personal and professional life?

→ It's time to embrace the Lean Out Loud mindset and start speaking up for what you believe in.

→ Right here. Right now.

This way of thinking is all about challenging the status quo, advocating for meaningful change, and making your voice heard.

In this newsletter, we'll explore what it means to lean out loud and how you can cultivate this powerful mindset in your own life.

From developing confidence and communication skills to building a supportive network, the benefits of leaning out loud are endless.

So, are you ready to take the first step towards a more fulfilling and impactful life?

Let's dive in.

Developing this kind of mindset takes time and effort, but it's well worth it.

→ When you're able to lean out loud and advocate for change, you're not just pushing for progress in your own life - you're also setting an example for others and helping to create a better work place and world.

In many ways, developing a Lean Out Loud mindset is about challenging the status quo and refusing to accept the way things are.

It's about recognizing that there's always room for improvement and that we all have a responsibility to push for progress.

So if you're committed to developing a Lean Out Loud mindset, be patient with yourself and take it one step at a time.

Read, learn, and grow - and don't be afraid to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular.

On Developing Political Maturing, Empathy and EQ

→ As we begin our journey about learning about leaning out loud, it's important to note that this kind of boldness should be tempered with political maturity, empathy, and emotional intelligence (EQ).

If you've worked with alongside me on one of my teams or know me personally, you would know that I pretty much coined the word "political maturity."

If you haven't heard that anywhere it's because its something that happens emotionally and internally when you've been on the corporate level long enough.

→ Political maturity means understanding the power dynamics at play in your work place and knowing how to navigate them effectively.

It means being strategic and thoughtful in your approach, rather than simply reacting impulsively and in some cases, unprofessionally.

→ Let's say there's a situation in the workplace where you strongly disagree with a decision made by your boss. Instead of immediately speaking out or going behind their back, you take a step back and think about the bigger picture.

You consider the potential consequences of speaking out, both for yourself and the company as a whole. You also think about what might be motivating your boss to make this decision, and try to see things from their perspective.

With this in mind, you decide to approach your boss in a respectful and professional manner.

You express your concerns, but also make an effort to listen to their point of view and understand their reasoning. Together, you come to a compromise that takes both of your perspectives into account and ultimately benefits the company.

→ This is an example of having political maturity in the workplace. It's about recognizing that there are multiple perspectives and motivations at play, and making an effort to navigate these complex dynamics in a constructive and respectful way.

It's not always easy, but developing this kind of maturity can help you build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and ultimately achieve more in your professional life.

→ Empathy and emotional intelligence (EQ) are crucial components of the Lean Out Loud mindset because they help you navigate the complex social dynamics of the workplace and build stronger relationships with your colleagues.

When you approach situations with empathy and EQ, you are able to understand and connect with others on a deeper level, which can help you influence and inspire change more effectively.

→ For example, let's say you're trying to advocate for a new project or initiative in your workplace. Instead of simply pushing your own agenda, you take the time to understand the perspectives and concerns of your colleagues.

You listen actively, validate their feelings, and work to find common ground.

By doing so, you build trust and credibility, which can help you gain buy-in for your ideas and ultimately achieve your goals.

On the other hand, if you approach situations with a lack of empathy or EQ, you may come across as pushy or confrontational, which can damage your relationships and hinder your ability to influence change.

Without these skills, you may struggle to navigate difficult conversations or build the kind of support you need to achieve your goals.This is especially critical when pushing for change or advocating for unpopular ideas, as it can be easy to alienate others if you're not careful.

→ By cultivating empathy and EQ, you can not only become a more effective advocate for change, but also a more compassionate and supportive colleague.

→ You can build stronger relationships, inspire others to take action, and ultimately create a more positive and collaborative workplace culture.

So how can you combine leaning out loud with political maturity, empathy, and EQ?

Here Are A Few Tips To Bet You Started:

1. Do: Listen actively and seek to understand others' perspectives. You cannot understand anything if you don't take the time to listen. Remember listening is free. Take a deep breath and practice active listening. Before you can advocate for change, you need to understand where others are coming from and what motivates them.
2. Don't: Assume that your way is the only way. While it's important to be confident in your ideas, it's equally important to be open to feedback and willing to adjust your approach based on others' input. And most important, don't take anything personally. Learn how to take constructive criticism and feedback and build upon it so you can use it to improve and grow.
3. Do: Find common ground and build allies. Change rarely happens in a vacuum - you need to bring others along with you. Look for areas of agreement and work to build strong partnerships. Remember without buy-in you won't be able to accomplish what you need to complete.
4. Don't: Resort to personal attacks or inflammatory language. While it can be tempting to lash out when you feel frustrated or angry, this kind of behavior rarely leads to positive outcomes. This is the occasion where you need to flex your political maturity muscle.
5. Do: Lead by example and model the behavior you want to see in others. If you want to create a culture of leaning out loud and pushing for change, you need to be the change you want to see in the world. This means you absolutely have to walk the walk and be an example to those that want to walk the path with you. Your actions speak louder than words.

In addition, to being an effective way to advocate for change and make your mark on the world, leaning out loud also has a number of benefits for you as a professional and a leader.

Here are just a few of the ways that embracing the Lean Out Loud mindset can help you grow and succeed:

• It builds confidence and self-esteem. When you speak up and share your ideas, you're demonstrating to yourself and others that you have something valuable to contribute. This can boost your confidence and help you feel more self-assured in all areas of your life.
• It helps you grow your network and build relationships. When you're willing to lean out loud and share your ideas, you open yourself up to new opportunities and connections. This can help you expand your network and build relationships with others who share your values and goals.
• It positions you as a thought leader and innovator. When you're willing to challenge the status quo and push for change, you're demonstrating that you're a forward-thinking, innovative leader. This can help you stand out in your industry and position yourself as a thought leader.

Ultimately, leaning out loud is about more than just advocating for change - it's about taking control of your own destiny and becoming the kind of professional and leader you want to be.

So don't be afraid to speak up, take risks, and push for progress.

The rewards are worth it - but do so thoughtfully and with intention.

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