Espresso Shorts: Speak Up!

Speak Up: Part 1

I never worry too much about speaking up. I am not talking about being rude or loutish but just sharing what's on my mind because I believe it will help others to hear it. 

Some caution that I will get into trouble. But for me having to keep my mouth shut is more fearful than the consequences of trouble.

So when I see something wrong:

• a bully with a big title,
• a lazy employee who gets away with being lazy,
• a customer that screams at employees,

I speak up.

Speaking up has put me in a corner especially when I lose perspective or let my emotions get the better of me. I feel shame when that happens. But speaking up is also valued when I give my best advice, not say what others want to hear. Others know I will do what's right and not what furthers my interest.

I want to learn, grow and yes change for the better.

But there are some things I like just the way it is, and that includes speaking up because it's who I am.

Speak Up: Part 2

"The model will work."My manager promised. I disagreed. But why argue? I was new and it's her call. I just execute.

But keeping silent means breaking an implicit promise made the moment I accepted the job - be loyal to my boss. So I spoke up.

That day my boss found out I can be counted on to speak my mind. And I found out that my boss is a good listener. We both started earning trust and growing a relationship.

I am glad I spoke up.

Speak Up: Part 3

As in most things in life, practice does make you better and I had a lot of practice with speaking up. Here is what I learned.

1. Speak up. But don't be a jerk about it or lose your cool.
2. Pick your battles - sometimes peace is better than being right.
3. When boss dismisses my point, I don't take it personally. If I think I am right, I keep coming back until: A. Boss agrees and changes the decision. B. I agree boss is right and move on; or C. No decision, then I do what I think is right.
4. When is the worst time to tell boss s/he is wrong? When it's too late to change the decision!
5. Where is a bad place to tell boss s/he is wrong? In front of everyone.
6. What is a silly way to tell boss s/he is wrong? Timidly and without data, coherence and confidence.
7. And the worst way of telling boss s/he is wrong? "I told you so."

Reposted with permission on Leaderonomics.com.