Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 5 keys to assist in gathering the courage to speak your mind...
 |
| Photo Source |
Relationships face challenges. As you spend nearly half of your day in the office, it is just as important to manage your work relationships as your personal relationships.
Some struggle to effectively speak up about issues that cause feelings of frustration or anger. Communicating these emotions in a mature way is necessary or it may boil inside until it is acted out. This might take place in cheap shots, moodiness or the silent treatment. Ultimately, this will lead to undermining the mood in your workplace which can have a serious impact on your own emotional, mental and physical health.
Here are 5 keys to assist in gathering your courage to speak up:
1. Put Others First
This may be the last thing you want to do at a time when you might feel frustrated that you seem to "always" be putting others first. In this circumstance, we mean to consider the end goal. It may be very tempting to prove someone "wrong" in an effort to make yourself "right," but what do you want the end result to be? Do you want to make your coworker feel inferior to you? Or instead, do you want to promote a more productive and rewarding work environment?
This may be the last thing you want to do at a time when you might feel frustrated that you seem to "always" be putting others first. In this circumstance, we mean to consider the end goal. It may be very tempting to prove someone "wrong" in an effort to make yourself "right," but what do you want the end result to be? Do you want to make your coworker feel inferior to you? Or instead, do you want to promote a more productive and rewarding work environment?
2. Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
Everyone has a story. Their background and collected personal experiences shape the way they view the world. We get wrapped up in our own stories and we don't see the world as it really is. Instead, we see the world as we are.
Everyone has a story. Their background and collected personal experiences shape the way they view the world. We get wrapped up in our own stories and we don't see the world as it really is. Instead, we see the world as we are.
3. Be Self Aware
Take the time to review the situation and your feelings on the matter. Identify where you stand on the subject. Are you frustrated, sad, angry, afraid? No emotion is "wrong," it's simply the way you feel. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it." Help others to get to this point. If someone seems to be frustrated or upset, take a minute and listen to them.
Take the time to review the situation and your feelings on the matter. Identify where you stand on the subject. Are you frustrated, sad, angry, afraid? No emotion is "wrong," it's simply the way you feel. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it." Help others to get to this point. If someone seems to be frustrated or upset, take a minute and listen to them.
4. Two Ears, One Mouth
Listen twice as much as you speak. The way to successfully persuade someone is to speak about their concerns. Once they've shared their thoughts, speak about the facts then share your opinion on the matter.
Listen twice as much as you speak. The way to successfully persuade someone is to speak about their concerns. Once they've shared their thoughts, speak about the facts then share your opinion on the matter.
5. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
While you may not be able to completely resolve an issue when you first speak up, if you make an effort to create an ongoing dialogue, situations are sure to improve.
While you may not be able to completely resolve an issue when you first speak up, if you make an effort to create an ongoing dialogue, situations are sure to improve.
