How Will You Use Your Voice In 2021?
Consider weaving how you will use your voice into each of your development goals this year
Posted on 02-10-2021, Read Time: Min
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“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” Madeleine K. Albright
I like this quote. It has me thinking about, “Where are all the places and times that I’ve been silent? What can I do in 2021 that will allow me to look back next January and feel like I’ve continued to develop my voice and use it well? These are questions I’m exploring this year.
Every year I choose a word or phrase to focus on. My phrase for this year is “Lori’s voice.”
Think about the times you have withheld your voice when it would have been beneficial: in not speaking up, not sharing your view, and not advocating for another person or supporting them. Some of us, and I’m looking at myself as I say this, would be better if we intentionally used our voice more often. I am more reflective and quiet. There is an upside to that style. And in overuse, it can get in the way of being effective and contributing. We don’t benefit anyone, ourselves or family or organizations, by living small or diminishing our contribution by not using our voice.
To live more boldly in 2021, here’s what I’m focusing on to develop and use my voice:
1. Speak Authentically, Candidly, and with Care
Authentic means real, genuine, or not fake. Candidly means having the courage to speak, letting others know what you are thinking, and meaning what you say. I’ve heard people say, “That person is the real deal”, meaning that you don’t have to guess about their motives or trustworthiness. Speaking with care means choosing to be responsible for both what you say and how the other person may take it. Speaking with care means speaking in a way that treats the other person with human dignity.
When I worked for a manufacturing company, I attended a meeting with our company’s leadership, both executives and union leaders. The head of the union, Mike, was respected for his plain speech, the courage to speak his mind, passion for the labor workers, and a respect for the organization we all served. You never had to guess what Mike was thinking as he was willing to say it. In contrast, there was also a company leader at this meeting who used elegant words in his speaking. It seemed like he was saying all the right things, yet it was difficult to sort out what he was really meant. He used many nice words without much meaning. Being authentic means transparent, being self-expressed, and clear so that people don’t have to guess what you are thinking or how you feel about something. As I reflect on this meeting, what could I have done to be more effective? I could have used my voice to support the labor leader. I also should have asked a few clarifying questions of company leader to provide more transparency and clarity.
Is leaving something unsaid authentic? At times, yes, if you are sincerely choosing not to say if it doesn’t further the conversation, the relationship, or the organization. Also, if you need more time to think through it before speaking, you can authentically be choosing not to speak. I also see when we don’t speak up when we see people not being treated with dignity and respect, we are part of the problem. Not speaking up is condoning what we are a witness to.
This quest for being authentic is a personal journey, so you don’t lose yourself and that you stay in development. It’s staying with the inquiry of, “What does being authentic mean?” By continuing to look for examples of what it is and what it isn’t, you will continue to build a clear distinction. This will help you to be more at choice in being authentic.
When I worked for a manufacturing company, I attended a meeting with our company’s leadership, both executives and union leaders. The head of the union, Mike, was respected for his plain speech, the courage to speak his mind, passion for the labor workers, and a respect for the organization we all served. You never had to guess what Mike was thinking as he was willing to say it. In contrast, there was also a company leader at this meeting who used elegant words in his speaking. It seemed like he was saying all the right things, yet it was difficult to sort out what he was really meant. He used many nice words without much meaning. Being authentic means transparent, being self-expressed, and clear so that people don’t have to guess what you are thinking or how you feel about something. As I reflect on this meeting, what could I have done to be more effective? I could have used my voice to support the labor leader. I also should have asked a few clarifying questions of company leader to provide more transparency and clarity.
Is leaving something unsaid authentic? At times, yes, if you are sincerely choosing not to say if it doesn’t further the conversation, the relationship, or the organization. Also, if you need more time to think through it before speaking, you can authentically be choosing not to speak. I also see when we don’t speak up when we see people not being treated with dignity and respect, we are part of the problem. Not speaking up is condoning what we are a witness to.
This quest for being authentic is a personal journey, so you don’t lose yourself and that you stay in development. It’s staying with the inquiry of, “What does being authentic mean?” By continuing to look for examples of what it is and what it isn’t, you will continue to build a clear distinction. This will help you to be more at choice in being authentic.
2. Use Your Voice to Support Others
First, it means paying more attention to the people in life, personally and professionally. You can support others by
- Speaking up on another’s behalf; being an advocate for them. This includes stopping gossip.
- Inviting people into a conversation. Notice someone who hasn’t spoken and invite them to share their thoughts or experience.
- Circling back to someone who was interrupted and ask them to continue speaking.
- Proactively being a connector for people to people. In connecting people to those who might be able to provide value and resources.
3. Use Your Voice in Writing
You can develop and use your voice by writing. There is a connection between writing and speaking. The more you develop clear, concise, compelling writing it impacts your speaking in those same ways. And writing also allows you to use your voice in more ways, such as writing:
- Acknowledgment notes to people. Acknowledgment can include what I appreciate about what you bring to the group or family or what you have done in the past. An acknowledgement is also what I rely on you for, took away from our conversation or the value in my time with you, or what I like about you as a person regarding a quality or characteristic.
- Written acknowledgments do not disappear. Email or electronic written acknowledgments are meaningful and appreciated. And there is something very special about handwritten acknowledgment notes. Why? Because they are scarce. We tend to put more value on things that are scarce. You can make a positive impact in a person’s life by writing them an acknowledgment note.
- Meeting summaries. Volunteer to provide the meeting summaries to meetings you attend. There are many benefits to you and others. It’s a good practice of writing in a clear, concise, and relevant way. You will also get more out of the meeting as you capture the highlights and decisions/next steps. It provides you more visibility in the organization when you share the summary with others. And it’s a gift to those attending the meeting to help good work get done between the meetings and less circling back at future meetings to cover the same ground.
- Articles or blogs in your areas of expertise and experience. Writing is challenging work. For my development in writing, an author and friend Paul Axtel, suggested that I write 10 minutes a day, every day. Start a streak and keep it going. And for accountability and mentoring, I send three of the days 10-minute writings to Paul. He provides encouragement and suggestions to keep me on the path of development.
It can be a bit daunting to start writing with a specific outcome in mind, such as writing a book. I’ve chosen the mindset, “to be one who writes.” The outcome may be a book, an article, blog, or just for my own development. The mindset shift for me is in being a writer, and with a secondary focus on the outcome the writing might produce. It’s kin to being present. With this mindset, writing is easier. And there’s a benefit in my personal development, of who I am being and becoming.
So how will you use your voice this year? Consider weaving how you will use your voice into each of your development goals this year. Here’s to 2021 - cheers!
“Be transparent. Let's build a community that allows hard questions and honest conversations so we can stir up transformation in one another.” ― Germany Kent, American author and broadcast journalist
Author Bio
| Lori Glander is an experienced executive coach and leadership development professional. She has worked inside of organizations in operations, sales, and learning & development functions. She brings business acumen as a teacher and coach to accelerate the growth of clients, to achieve their professional and personal goals. Connect Lori Glander |
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