Speak up responsibly

Whether you speak up in your organisation depends in most cases on whether you feel able to do so. However, the advantages of doing so outweigh the disadvantages so it’s worth taking a chance. How is some advice on how to go about it.

BE A BALANCED VOICE: Balance your voice by thinking about and through what exactly you want to say, why you want to say it and what purpose you want it to serve. Say what you want in a way that shows you have reflected on the issues. If others have expressed opinions about the same issue, make sure you are presenting a fresh angle on things.

SHOW LEADERSHIP: Know when to speak; think about how and where is best to speak up. An open forum may not always the place to speak especially if what you have to say can put someone on the spot. Don’t address in an public forum an issue that should be dealt with one on one. Speaking up is not easy for many people; therefore when you do you are setting an example, so make sure it’s a good one.

DON’T BE AN ECHO: There’s nothing wrong with endorsing the view of another. Infact it is a good way of promoting consensus. However, being an echo is being loud, saying nothing new or insisting on just your opinions rather than hearing what others have to say or their response to your contributions. Whatever you want to say even if it’s a question, make sure it really adds value to the goals of the conversation.

SET A TONE FOR YOURSELF: Be calm and consistent, aim not to respond in the heat of the moment. When you feel agitated, give yourself time to cool down. Hold yourself responsible for getting a good result (as far as is within your control) for what you want to contribute. It’s your job not only to say what you have to say respectfully to improve the chances that you’ll be heard.

Now take action: What do you need to do to gather the courage to speak up more?