If you’re an introvert, you may prefer to listen rather than talk when it comes to your job. However, you probably have some valuable ideas worth hearing. In fact, to succeed in your career, you need to have strong communication skills so you can be understood. Here are three suggestions to help you be heard in your workplace, so that others will listen and respond.
Be Willing to Speak Up in the Right Situations
Find the right times to speak up, such as in weekly meetings or during in-house training. Brainstorming sessions provide a golden opportunity to have your ideas heard in the right environment. Annual evaluations are the perfect opportunity to be in a one-on-one situation with a supervisor or manager, and can be opportune moments to speak up.If you’re feeling nervous about speaking up, just remember that management depends on feedback from customers and employees. Management needs your input as much as you need theirs, otherwise, they wouldn’t know how to grow the company or help you succeed in your career. Even though it can be uncomfortable to speak up in these meetings, be brave and keep trying. Once you get used to giving your opinion and speaking up, it will get easier.
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Let Others Know You Want to Help
Another way to be heard in the work place is to show your colleagues that you listen and care. Take the opportunity to assist others in your department or even outside your area. It can be one of the best ways to communicate your ideas to your superiors, as they watch your actions before hearing what you have to say. As you contribute to your co-workers’ success, they’ll be more likely to listen to your opinions and ideas. People appreciate others who are team players and will support them when they have something to contribute. Look for ways to show your interest in the company by helping, and you’ll discover more listeners when you speak up about something that matters to you.
Take Advantage of Surveys and Other Opportunities to Voice an Opinion
Many companies offer surveys or suggestion boxes for staff members to have their opinions heard. This way of providing feedback allows you to give your honest opinion, and, often allow you to do so anonymously. If your organization provides one of these options, take advantage of it. One of the best ways to be heard in the workplace if you’re shy about communicating is to use written communication. If it happens to be anonymous, you’ll feel more free to speak what’s on your mind. However, you should always be respectful and clear in your comments. Communication is key to an organization’s success. The ability to communicate doesn’t just go from managers to employees but moves in the other direction as well. If you want to see your career grow as the business thrives, you will need to learn how to communicate with others in the workplace.24 Seven conducts an annual job market survey that takes the pulse of the workforce and the feedback we gain from this survey is used to advise employers on what their employees are looking for and vice versa.
Check out our most recent Job Market Survey here!
