Speak Up at Work to Advance Your Career

Client Mark asks: I’m mostly quiet at meetings. I’ve always thought that if I just do my work, it will speak for itself. But it’s not working. I think I need to speak up more. But what is the best way to get my opinion out there?

Coach Joel Answers: Mark, you need to trust that your opinion matters. No one else sees the world through your perspective. No one else has your unique blend of experience, knowledge, understanding, and skills. In order for your group and organization to perform at their best, they need varied input. They need your input.

When you share your opinion, you stand out and get recognized. As you do so, you create value, and that impact sets you up for promotions.

If you have been a worker-bee, or a shy person who deflected attention, it may be hard to take the risk of sharing your opinion vocally. But doing so will increase your confidence and help you become more widely known.

Why People Are So Afraid to Speak Up at Work

Management researchers Kathleen Ryan and Daniel Oestreich found that 70% of the people they studied from various industries and functions were afraid to speak up at work for fear of repercussions.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that number is so high, especially after a time when many people have been paranoid about losing their jobs. But from my experience working with clients and companies, I’ve learned that the people who speak up are the ones who get ahead. Companies are desperate for new ideas and ways to generate new revenue, improve customer service, streamline operations, and reduce expenses. Yes, it can be scary to risk rejection of your ideas, and not all of them will rise to the top—yet if you continuously push yourself to voice your honest opinions, senior leaders will be grateful for it.

Learn How to Speak Up at Work by Following These Proven Tips

The key is knowing how to speak up, using the techniques I outline below. I encourage you to give them a try. The next time you find yourself hesitating to offer an opinion or suggestion at the office, don’t hold back. Now is the right time to enhance your career, and being vocal is an essential component of this process.

Let’s talk about the when, where, why, and how to make your opinion take you to the leadership position you desire.

When to Share:

Good leaders listen first. Take time to process what has already been said. Then see where you can add value. You may want to start sharing your opinion in smaller groups. But ultimately you want your manager’s bosses, and a wide range of people to hear your opinions.

What to Share:

Take an honest look at your level of expertise and your strengths. You really have a lot to offer. Think about what you can add that will move the conversation forward. Of course you don’t want to duplicate what someone else just said. Don’t waste time adding your me-too experiences or examples.

Look for ways your opinions can provide solutions, build consensus, or shed new light on concerns. These kinds of opinions will show others your talents and skills. They will demonstrate what you offer the organization. When others hear your opinions, they can recognize your value, appreciate your contribution to the company, and leverage your talents.

How to Share:

One new client confessed to me, “I have difficulty asserting myself to my boss and coworkers and often feel inferior. What can I do?”

My client isn’t alone. We’re taught early in life to be polite and to avoid seeming arrogant or conceited. However, having a healthy view of your strengths and being able to convey them to your superiors is neither conceited nor arrogant. You need to learn to do this by setting boundaries, to get promotions and salary raises, and to gain respect for your talents.

• Share your opinion in in writing. You can take the time to think through how best to express your thoughts. You can write an article, send an email, or a memo. The advantage of written opinions is that it’s easier to share them up and across the leadership chain.
• Write out what you want to say at meetings. Prior planning can reduce your fear, build your confidence and help you express your thoughts more clearly.
• Schedule one-on-one meetings. You may find it easier to share your opinion with one person at a time at the beginning. Then you can move on to small groups and finally to large meetings.

Do you want to speak up at work?
You need an executive coach with a proven track record to help you reach your goal. Hire Joel Garfinkle to help you develop a step-by-step plan for career advancement. 

Here are some ways to speak up at work in order to advance your career

1 – Know Your Strengths.

Consider projects you have worked on and what gifts and talents you used to make them a success. Look at your daily tasks and see what strengths you’re manifesting there. List all of your achievements and accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Seeing them in front of you will help remind you just how much you truly are capable of. Then look at what you are good at and truly love to do.

2 – Focus on What You Do Best.

Find ways to pursue projects that center on these things. Communicate with your boss about how to focus on such work. Keep your focus. Remind yourself of your strengths and talents often, and focus on how to expand them.

3 – Share with confidence.

Yes, it feels risky, but it’s important to step up and speak out. Don’t apologize or minimize your contribution. (“I just … um … thought … ah … perhaps …”) In the beginning, you may want to plan out how you’ll say what you want to say.

4 – Set Goals and Review Your Successes.

Schedule weekly or monthly appointments with yourself to review your successes and look at how you’ve contributed. Set goals for using your gifts more effectively and more frequently in your work.

5 – Be Positive and Optimistic.

Once you get in touch with your strengths, you will gain confidence and allow them to come forward. It will be easier to ask for what you want. If you stay focused on fear, you will remain stuck and unable to assert yourself. Focus instead on the positive, empowering feeling that comes from knowing your strengths and what you contribute to the company, and you’ll find it much easier to move forward. Remember, if you don’t believe you are capable of something, how can you hope to convince anyone else that you are?

6 – Don’t Be Afraid of Conflict.

It’s okay to disagree. Just don’t be disagreeable. Be respectful. Be a good listener. Focus on facts, goals, and objectives, not personalities. Try to find areas of alignment and build on them.

7 – It’s Okay to Say No.

When you feel someone is imposing on you, explore other options with them. Find out what they want or need and offer suggestions or possible tradeoffs. For example, “I’ll put together the budget figures for you if you handle next month’s safety meeting.” Look for ways to turn a “losing” situation into a solution that benefits everyone. It’s also okay to simply say no, and it may actually increase productivity.

Once you take the bold step of sharing your ideas, you’ll find yourself becoming more widely known for your talents and potential. No longer will your skills be known to just the inner circle of people who work directly with you. Instead, leaders and colleagues across the organization will know just where to turn when they need your specific skill set.

Why share?

To recap, advancement requires visibility. If you want to move on to a higher-level position, you have to make yourself visible. When you speak out and share your opinions, people will see you as someone with power, influence, authority, and leadership. If you stay silent, you won’t be noticed, and your career will stall out. When you actively add to the conversation with insightful, thought-provoking opinions you stand out. You increase your value to the company.

Is it time to speak out and have your opinions heard and respected? Contact Joel and find out how you can maximize your potential. You can also read his book Getting Ahead: Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level.