The Benefits Of Speaking Up

What’s the cause of this? And before you say that you have nothing to contribute, remember that even the wildest ideas can spark something new and valuable. For example, think of the Transformers franchise. Think about how a thought that could’ve come from the minds of two teenagers hotboxing a Pontiac Sunfire ended up being worth billions of dollars. And let those ideas flow from your brain. Despite the benefits of speaking up, research from Fierce Conversations and Quantum Workplace shows that approximately 50% of employees rarely say what’s on their minds, whether they’re talking to colleagues or managers. Furthermore, a VitalSmarts report showed that 37% of employees don’t speak up because they’re afraid it could hurt their career prospects or people would think they complain too much. Just like our suspicion with hidden hands, our old caveman survival instincts play a significant role in this way of thinking. When we lived outdoors and had to hunt for our food, we had a greater likelihood of survival if we were part of a group. More people hunting meant more opportunities to get food. Sticking together in a group also meant a lower chance of being targeted by predators and a higher chance of being able to defend ourselves. So, our instincts are to do what we can to be accepted by the tribe. Glaser writes, people avoid speaking up because we don’t want to be rejected.

Concealing Mental Pain Increases The Burden

We fear that rejection could lead to isolation or ostracization from the group. And due to our instincts, we consider this a fate that could result in our demise. Consciously, we know that we won’t die if people disagree with what we say. It’s not as if being given the cold shoulder at work means that we’ll never be able to eat again, or we’ll end up being devoured by a pack of wolves because we’re no longer in a group. However, our instincts are so deeply ingrained that we still associate rejection with a lower chance of survival in our subconscious mind. This is one of the main reasons so many of us are terrified of speaking up. It’s also not unusual to be intimidated by other people in a meeting, especially if we think they’re well beyond us in experience and knowledge. There’s also the matter of certain people being more verbally dominant than others. The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, three people do 70% of the talking in an average meeting. And as a result, many people don’t get to share simply because they can’t get a word in edgewise. You may avoid speaking up for one or more of these reasons. It could also be due to something that happened in your past.

Make It Better

Take a moment and reflect on what the reason is for you. The best way to overcome a challenge is first to gain awareness of the cause. This is an approach that many professionals use to gain the courage they need to use their voice. Instead of thinking that it’s all about voicing your opinions and standing out, shift your focus onto the benefits for everyone else in the meeting. When you hold back because you think your idea isn’t good enough, or you don’t want to share a thought that isn’t fully formed, consider that you could be the cause of someone else’s breakthrough. If you catch yourself thinking, It’s not my place, understand that keeping quiet is not the best thing for your team. This perspective doesn’t resonate with everyone, but if you support the Utilitarian greatest good for the greatest number way of thinking, this may be exactly what you need to help break through. Certain people find it difficult to speak up when it’s all about themselves, but when it’s about contributing to a collective goal and sharing a purpose with their fellow humans, they’re able to overcome their fears and start making steps towards change. It might seem counterintuitive, but focusing less on yourself will actually help you stand out from the competition. The employees whose main focus is to help the organization succeed are often the most respected and valued in the workplace, and this focus delivers extraordinary results. There are nine strategies for you to utilize that will make sure everyone in the company knows exactly how valuable you are. That way, when it comes time for new opportunities, raises, and promotions, you’ll be the first one on their mind.

How Can I Stop?

After many sleepless nights and hours of research, I finally discovered a tool that would end up radically changing my life. It was absolutely free. It was almost too good to be true. You have this tool on you right now. Infact, you never leave home without it. Research has proven that there is a strong correlation between the way you breathe and the way you think and feel. Intentional breathing is one of the fastest, easiest, and most effective ways to change your thoughts and emotions. Let’s explore three powerful breathing techniques that will help you relax and calm your nerves before a meeting, important event, or any time you’re feeling stressed or anxious. You use them, you will find yourself in a more relaxed, elevated state of mind, which will naturally boost your confidence, allow you to think more clearly, and make it significantly easier to speak up. It was instrumental in saving my life several times in crises. On your exhales, let your stomach fall as your abdomen muscles gently contract. Repeat the full cycle until you feel focused and relaxed. Box breathing was the first type of intentional breathing that I learned about. My problems are peanuts compared to what they have to deal with. The very next day, I decided to give it a try. I stood in the office bathroom, nauseous as ever, staring at myself in the mirror. After forcing myself to focus through a couple of rounds of breath, a smile crept across my face. I actually felt pretty good.