An important part of elevating your leadership presence is knowing when – and when not – to speak up.
“In many organizations, our leadership readiness is measured in part by our willingness to speak up in meetings. How we speak off the cuff can have a bigger impact on our career trajectory than our presentations or speeches, because every single day we have an opportunity to make an impact,” says Allison Shapira in her HBR article How to Speak Up in a Meeting, and When to Hold Back.But it’s not always apparent when and how to do it, right? Here are some tips for when to speak up:
- Challenge an Idea – by challenging an underlying assumption or questioning the validity of a decision
- Include Others – draw out opinions from those who have not spoken up
- Demonstrate Your Support for a project, decision, or initiative
- Frame an Issue – when everyone seems to be talking about different things or is unclear about the core issue
- Stand Up For “What’s Right” – this can be subjective and will vary based on the situation and your values
- Call Out Inappropriate or Illegal Behavior – don’t allow bullying or other unwelcome behavior to occur without being addressed
Not speaking up can be detrimental. If you remain silent, your organization can’t benefit from your knowledge, opinions, or ideas. Although saying something difficult might seem risky, staying quiet can also have consequences because others may see you as a follower rather than a leader.
Check out these resources for additional ideas about how and when to speak up: