3 Ways to Speak Up When You Know You Should

<p>http://www.sherylkline.com/blog<br/><br/>I think it’s safe to say that most of us have found ourselves in this predicament. Clamming up when we know we should speak up. Maybe it’s an awkward situation. Maybe there is a lot at stake. Maybe it’s just easier not to say anything. Whether it’s in our living room or in the boardroom, your voice needs to be heard. Change for the better will require us all to speak up when our gut and our heart tell us to do so.</p><p>Easier said than done, right?</p><p>Yep, and we’re not alone.</p><p>A recent survey done by LeanIn and SurveyMonkey polled approximately 7,400 women and men in the workplace. While 80% of those polled considered themselves allies, less than half of the women, most notably women of color, say they have strong allies in the workplace.</p><p>Also, consider that it can be extremely difficult to ‘influence up’. In other words, share your perspective to senior leadership especially when there is a lot at stake. </p><p>However we feel silenced by others or choose to stay silent ourselves, it can affect our impact and our health. This same study states that ‘Silence enacts a clear toll on us that can contribute towards burnout as keeping our concerns to ourselves harms our wellbeing.’</p><p>Whether it’s for a marginalized group or influencing your leadership, there are some simple (I didn’t say easy:) steps to take, so that you and other heart-centered leader’s voices are heard, valued, and respected.</p><p>If we can ALL learn to speak up more when we know we should, we’ll be better equipped to:</p><p>1.) Empower leadership to do the right thing</p><p>2.) Reduce your and your colleague’s emotional tax and the probability of burnout</p><p>3.) Increase productivity and profitability by empowering others</p><p>This topic is more appropriate for longer form workshops or coaching. But I’ve received so many emails and messages, I’d like to get you started here.</p><p><b>First, focus on awareness.<br/></b>Learn to listen to your gut and your heart. Based on Gavin de Be