Understanding Financial Statements

Have you ever sat silently while your co-worker spoke for nearly the complete time allotted for a meeting? have you ever mentioned an idea only to be ignored or have somebody else say it later and acquire credit for it? It is often frustrating and disheartening to realize that your voice isn’t heard within the workplace. When you’re a lady or minority, speaking up at work is often difficult. you'll have a sense that you simply can’t get a word in edgewise or your ideas and feelings won’t be taken seriously. Or could also be you fear you’d be perpetuating a negative stereotype of a few minority groups or multiple minority groups you belong to. These fears aren’t unwarranted: Re-search shows women speak but men within the workplace, despite the perception they speak more, for instance, which women in leadership positions face negative consequences for being more talkative. So, what are you able to do?

Trust your voice, Remember you've got a right to be heard. Here are some tips for being heard within the workplace that apply across the board. 

Learn to Let Go of Being Liked

When you speak up in the workplace as a woman in a male-dominated company, there’s a chance people will think that you’re not likable or agreeable. But just because you are liked doesn’t infer that you are respected and praised from deep within. Women often have a need to be liked, but it’s not going to help you progress in your career or reach your goals if it comes at the expense of sharing your thoughts and opinions. 

Know What You’re Going to Say

Whenever possible plan what you’re getting to say and how you’re getting to say it ahead of time. Then, rehearse. Speaking your message aloud will assist you to solidify the words you would like to use and can assist you to have the self-confidence to say it aloud again when it counts. If you know what you want to say might get some push back, prepare for that as well. Think about the likely objections and be prepared to respond. 

Think About Your Language

Cut out filtering language and state things plainly. Instead of adding ‘I think or I feel like, skip right to your main point. Filtering is an automatic reflex to soften what you’re saying, but it might cause making you sound less confident. Do your best to remove filler words such as ‘like’ and ‘um’. The more concise your message, the less time you need to hold people’s attention to get your voice heard. 

Consider Your Delivery

Ninety percent of how you've heard isn’t what you say but how you say it. Your physical actions – eye contact, gestures, postures, etc. - and vocal elements like volume, tone, pacing, and speed affect how people hear your message. 

Build Strategic Relationships

If there’s a colleague whose input and opinions are always respected and with who you’re comfortable sharing your ideas, it's worth getting to know them better so they’ll have you back. This could be an ongoing sponsorship-type relationship.