Challenging the Status Quo
Courage to speak
“Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid. Courage means you don't let your fear stop you"
Do you ever "engage your mouth before your brain" at work, without thinking about the consequences? Or do you prefer to take refuge in what researchers call "the safe response of silence"?
When you speak up at work, you're expressing your opinion about something, such as your thoughts about a project, your feelings on a decision, or an idea of your own. There are some important things to think about when doing it. How and when you speak up can have a considerable impact on the success of your team and organization. It can also be a significant factor in how well you do your job and in shaping your professional reputation.
People are often reluctant to speak up at work, because they're worried about the reaction they'll get. A choice to speak up may be about timing. If you are angry or emotional, reacting in the spur of the moment isn’t always wise. It may be advisable to hold fire, collect your thoughts and choose to respond in a controlled way when you have time to process your reactions. Strong emotions are useful to convey passion and conviction to your thoughts, and they must be used for constructive reasons, and not simply for "letting off steam." We can learn when speaking up makes sense, and how to do it in the most professional way.
HOW TO SPEAK UP
Choose your moment
Prepare your facts...
... or seize the moment
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SPEAK UP AT WORK
Contributing to the "greater good" is the key reason to speak up. Challenging, questioning, adding, or highlighting something can fuel discussion, and draw input and perspective from other people. It can bring about process improvements or strategic change, draw attention to minor issues before they become major ones, and resolve conflicts. It can boost your organization's collective knowledge, improve its creative efforts, and ultimately increase its financial success. It's also a great way to be a highly effective team member .
Speaking up can be personally beneficial. It can make you feel truer to yourself , give you a sense of dignity, and help to build your self-confidence . You can demonstrate your commitment to, investment in, and support for your organization, and you can even inspire quieter colleagues to speak up next time, too.
Studies have shown that not speaking up can be detrimental. If you remain silent or are denied your input, your organization can't benefit from your knowledge, opinions or ideas.
HOW TO SPEAK UP
Knowing what to say and how to say it is crucial but speaking up is within few people's comfort zones. To help, here are some tips. No one strategy fits all situations, so it's best to be flexible and use your best judgement.
Choose Your Moment
Depending on the norms and culture in your company, it may not be acceptable to openly disagree with someone, particularly if they're in a position of authority. In this situation, you can ask for a private meeting to gauge his or her mood and adjust your approach accordingly. Alternatively, consider putting your thoughts forward in writing, so that you can take your time to collect and present them.
Teammates expect and welcome your opinion, even if it goes against theirs. Offer it, but don't overdo it. Repeating yourself can be irritating and unnecessary, and it will not strengthen your argument. Also, be careful not to put anyone "on the spot" or embarrass them.
Prepare Your Facts…
Maximize your impact by preparing and rehearsing your point of view. Put forward your case as an opinion, instead of fact. Ask questions to encourage your manager or colleague to consider what you're saying and to stop you from coming across as a "know-it-all."
… Or Seize the Moment
You may not always have time to prepare, so there can often be a case for impromptu speaking. Take care when you have to think on your feet. Your emotions can be running high and your argument might not be fully formed, so speaking up can sometimes backfire – take a deep breath and check your attitude before you begin. Stay professional and constructive to give yourself the best chance of being received well.
Dealing with the Response
If you've prepared and pitched your comments appropriately, they're likely to be received positively. Even if your audience doesn't adopt your viewpoint, they may be impressed by your courage and creativity, and by your ability to accept their decision.
If your comments are received negatively, you probably have a choice to make. You can either accept the feedback or the situation and adapt, or, if you feel strongly, move on.
Speaking up isn't always easy, but it's often worthwhile and rewarding. By contributing ideas, opinions and knowledge, you can boost your team and organization's performance and improve your personal effectiveness.
It is essential to speak appropriately within the context of the situation. There can be considerable risks in speaking up inappropriately, particularly where you want to raise serious issues. In these situations, cautious forethought and sound judgment are essential, as is a willingness to accept the response.