Speak Up!

This morning in the Star Tribune I read an article on how to build confidence to speak up and share your thoughts in meetings. I thought it was a very interesting article and believe it gives some good advice to professionals who have ideas and opinions they are afraid to share.

In most cases, people are afraid to speak up in public settings because they are still suffering from a bad experience in which they spoke up in the past or do not feel they are qualified to say something in a particular setting.

Ways to Build Confidence in your Voice:

• Notice that ideas are rewarded and set aside dated feelings about what happens to people who speak up
• Think about your company's culture. What responses do people in similar roles receive when they're more outspoken. Is there a hierarchy at play or are your limits self-imposed?
• Set achievable goals. Pick a group you're comfortable with to practice 'speaking up' with. (Giving suggestions to, asking questions, etc.) It may be because they're more familiar, that you have more expertise, or that they're generally gentler.
• Know the agenda. This way you can prepare some possible contributions. Sometimes great ideas come spontaneously, but it can help to have some thoughts ready.
• Prepare yourself. Not your ideas, your body and your attitude. Practice having engaged body language. Sit up and look like a participant in all meetings and conversations. Focus on your voice, learning to project and sound confident. Use your breath to support your voice. Ease your nervousness by visualizing your hoped-for outcome.
• If you feeling your body clenching up in a meeting, take some deep breathes. Remind yourself to believe in your ideas and give them a voice.
• Ask for help. Ask your friends at work or in teams with you for help. Get their feedback and support as you break your habit of timidity.
• Practice outside of work too by joining organizations such as Toastmasters.