Pick Something and Say It!

Lately, many of my clients are working on the ability to speak more effectively in business meetings.  We're all feeling the pressure to shine in today's gloomy economy, but old habits can prevent us from contributing fully.  For instance:      •  Some people happily blurt out whatever comes to mind—and wonder why their statements lack power.      •  Others hold their thoughts close—and find that they’re constantly being underestimated.      •  A third group stays silent because they can't choose among the many possible things to say, and they don't want to sound indecisive. Though these three groups have very different characteristics, they can all benefit from variations of the same solution:  Pick something and say it!   TO SPEAK UP MORE: Pick Something and SAY It! Do you ever have find yourself thinking...    •  My idea isn't ready to share yet    •  I'm not the one who knows this topic best    •  I can't get a word in edgewise around here    •  One more opinion won't really matter If any of these thoughts sound familiar, welcome to the world of the Introvert.   Contrary to popular belief, Introverts aren't shy or unskilled in their dealings with people.  They're just very private, and hesitant to share their thoughts—particularly when those thoughts don’t seem “fully cooked.”   But remember:  Your "half-baked" ideas or observations may be exactly what the group needs to move to a higher level of thinking.  When you keep silent in business meetings, you don't just damage your own career (because no one knows how smart you are!); you also disadvantage your colleagues, who could benefit from the insights you’re holding back.   If you're hesitant about speaking up, make this deal with yourself:  For every ten thoughts that come into your mind, force yourself to speak up 3-4 times.  Don't wait to perfect an idea before you share it!  Instead, pick something and say it!  You're likely to be pleasantly surprised at the positive reaction to your words.   TO SPEAK WITH MORE IMPACT:  Pick SOMEthing (not everything!) and Say It One definition of an Extravert is a person who only knows what they're thinking when they hear it coming out of their mouth.   If this describes you, make the opposite deal with yourself:  For every 10 thoughts that you would normally voice, force yourself to only share 3-4 of them.     For you the idea is to switch from picking everything and saying it to picking only some things and saying them! How will this make you more effective in business meetings?    •  You'll have more time to organize each thing you say (which may  result in greater eloquence)    •  You'll have more time to listen to what others are saying and gauge whether your idea really adds value    •  The "signal to noise ratio" in your speech will go up, meaning that, as you speak fewer words, it will be easier for others to focus on the words and ideas that matter most--which is the definition of effective communication! IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE CHOOSING WHAT TO SAY:  Pick SOMETHING (anything!) and Say It The great psychologist Carl Jung put people into two camps:  Those who love the journey of life (this includes both Introverts and Extraverts) and are open to possibilities; and those who are more focused on their destination, and feel more comfortable with closure.   It's easy to identify who belongs in each group.  And guess which one rules the world of business? Patricia:     But we haven't heard from Lisa yet. Joan:         I've made a decision.  We're moving on. -or- Peter:        There are many ways to redesign the library. Jim:           We only need one of them. If, like Patricia and Peter, you're in the group that Jung called Perceivers, you may be astounded at how quickly your Judger colleagues jump to conclusions, and how firmly they state their (often ill-considered) opinions.  That's because Judgers live by the motto, "I may be wrong, but at least I'm strong."   What is a Perceiver to do?  Pick some (any!) thing and say it.   It may go deeply against the grain to state one opinion instead of noting all the possibilities, but here's a little secret that should make you feel better:  You can always state a different opinion later!  (Judgers do; listen and you'll hear that.)  There will almost certainly be another discussion of this topic, which means another chance for you to explore other options. So instead of always saying, "We could do X... or Y... or Z... or..."  try to force yourself to occasionally just say, "Let's do X."   Then bite your tongue so that no other options come out of your mouth—at least until next time.     In Summary:   Whether you're    •  an Introvert who needs to pick something and SAY it...    •  an Extravert who needs to pick SOME (not every!) thing and say it...    •  or a Perceiver who needs to pick SOMETHING (anything!) and say it... ...start applying these tips today!  They'll not only help you speak up, speak more effectively, and speak with more clarity at your next business meeting—you’ll get more satisfaction in the process! 2009-03-05T16:29:16Z

2009-03-07T19:35:29Z

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pick-something-and-say-it

2009-03-07T19:35:23Z

2009-03-07T19:35:29Z

Want to shine in business meetings? Whether you'd like to speak up more, speak more effectively, or speak with more clarity and focus, this simple approach will help you succeed.

Pick Something and Say It!

2009-03-07T19:35:29Z