Your Voice Has Power Only If You Use It

Look around. What would you like to see change?

Now let’s suppose you were willing to do something to create that change. Some self-reflection is a good place to start, but eventually you will need to put your idea out there. That means using your voice (or your keyboard).

Practice Using Your Voice

Speaking up can be scary. That’s why I suggest that you ease into it. Here are ways for you to practice sharing your ideas and opinions. Some are super-easy and quite safe. Others will present a bit more challenge. Start small and work your way towards the more difficult.

Have Candid Conversations

Share more when talking with the people you know. Have real conversations that will help you spread your ideas while building relationships. The trick is to engage in a dialogue and not just climb up your high horse and shout your opinions for all to hear.

Vote

Vote in every election. This couldn’t be easier, and yet more than 40% of eligible voters don’t cast a ballot in presidential years. For smaller races in non-presidential years that number skyrockets. If your argument against voting is that your one vote doesn’t matter, then do it to simply for the practice of sharing an opinion. Better than just voting is walking into that voting booth educated about the issues.

Complete Surveys

Your employer, government bodies, service providers, coworkers, project teams, product managers, and community groups all want to know what you think. I understand that you can’t do them all. Some are too long. Some are for products/services you don’t care that much about. The point is that when you do care, and someone is asking, make the time to share your opinion.

Engage with Government Leaders

There are well-established methods to let your government leaders know what you think. Write letters. Call them. Show up at public meetings. In my city, there are always interesting ways to offer an opinion. A couple weeks ago, my City hosted a meeting about where they should do some sort of gun control ordinance. I had an opinion and decided to share it. Few take the opportunity.

Participate in Meetings

When you are invited to a meeting about a topic that matters to you, accept the invitation. Do your homework. Think about what you’d like to accomplish during the meeting. Come ready to speak and when the opportunity presents itself, take it.

Comment Online

There are plenty of people who use social media and newspaper online comment sections to promote their agenda. Some are more effective than others. Maybe your workplace uses some sort of collaborative app to keep people informed and provide a method to share ideas. If it’s there, you should consider using it. Wade in slowly and learn how to do it well.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words, But…

These days there are powerful voices getting what they want because they say or write what they think and are able to skillfully support their messages with actions.

To exert influence at work and within the communities you care about, your voice needs to be in mix. Advocate for your ideas. Be persistent. Be a decent human being.

Speak up more often and with greater skill to watch your influence grow.