Fear in the workplace. This fear keeps us from speaking up, using our voice, asking for the raise, asking for the promotion, offering our opinion, showing our value.
I think the best I’ve ever heard is a book called the Imposter Syndrome. Where our fear makes us believe we’re frauds and if we speak up, it will be proven true. There are multiple books out there. I haven’t read many of them so I can’t provide a recommendation. I would focus on a book where the reviews speak to you, where the book cover connects with you.
Another option is to prepare for your battle. Let’s say this particular battle is your annual performance review. You feel like you should get a raise but how do you go about this? Start with documenting why you think you should get a raise – what actions did you take to improve the company (focus on what made your boss look good). I’m not referring to actions that saved your company millions or revolutionized your industry – that’s not normal life. Life is about the small moments – helping your customers on a regular basis, improving our team’s reputation by consistently delivering on what is being requested, etc. Write it all down – be factual, be brief but be complete. If you feel prepared, you feel confident. Practice a few key paragraphs that put it all together – what differentiates you and why you are an asset to your team and to your company. Know that they are true and say them with confidence. What if your particular battle is speaking up in meetings? Start with sending your comments to your manager after the meetings and see what response you get. If they are positive responses, this will give you the confidence to speak up when the time is right. If they are not positive, ask why – learn more about what matters to the company, so your ideas match their culture.
In all instances, fear is managed by confidence. Think of it as a teeter-tooter. If fear is up, then confidence is down and if confidence is up, then fear is down. Fear is good in a lot of situations – don’t go into dark alley ways, stay away from serial killers in the elevators, if the food smells bad – it is. But if it keeps you from using your voice, standing up for yourself, knowing what’s right, feeling strong about who you are – then you need to practice more. Practice speaking up using a LOUD voice – in the shower is fine as that’s a great start. Even if your practice is a made up scenario – practice gives us the confidence to carry it forward in real life.
You are ENOUGH. Your voice MATTERS. YOU MATTER.
Applied Team Dynamics, LLC 