BY: Jasmin Ball
We’ve all heard some variation of these sayings before in some form or fashion. Though for many of us asking for what we want comes naturally amongst our friend group, in romantic relationships, and even on social media, this still proves to be a struggle for even the most ambitious and successful women to assert themselves in the workplace and in high-level meetings. It’s a known fact that women are often less assertive than their male colleagues in the workplace and tend to apologize or minimize the importance of what they say whenever they do speak up.
A study on gendered ageism in the workplace even revealed that 70% of women in the study stated they didn’t speak up because they didn’t believe it would make a difference, and 23% didn’t want to risk losing their job for speaking up.
It’s true there is power in speaking up—-the main one: you might just get what you’re asking for… But even if that’s not enough of a reason, the following is a list of more things you could gain by using your voice and speaking up in both your personal and professional life, even if you’re afraid.
GAIN VISIBILITY
A sure-fire way of getting overlooked is to blend into the background, never formulate your own thoughts, and never take a stand for what matters most to you. People who dare to speak up in meetings as a result gain visibility and command a brand of authority. Speaking up to gain visibility isn’t just a one time thing though. It requires consistent courage. But as the saying goes, “scared money doesn’t make money.” Sometimes you have to learn how to take action even when you’re afraid. Increase your influence.
Another byproduct of speaking up is the ability to attract a certain level of influence. Believe it or not, if you’re in the room, it’s because you deserve to be; and if you’re in the room, people actually want to hear what you have to say! It doesn’t do anyone any good if everyone simply agrees to the loudest opinion for the sake of not ruffling any feathers.
ENHANCE YOUR CREDIBILITY
When you have something to say, speak up! Especially if you have the stats and facts to support what you’re saying. People need to be enlightened if they’re on the wrong side of the argument or if they’re not seeing the bigger picture from a bird’s eye view. By sharing your knowledge, you can help establish a brand of credibility.
ESTABLISH LONGEVITY
You can go further in life, at work, and in your relationships when you are brave enough to allow yourself to be seen, heard, and understood. You can also feel validated and motivated to stay in a relationship or workplace for the long haul when you truly feel seen, heard, and supported. Don’t you agree? Speaking up is a key to longevity.
So the next time you feel like the cat’s got your tongue, remember all of what you could gain by speaking up versus remaining silent. Not only could you make an impact for yourself and others at large by allowing your perspective and fresh ideas to be heard, but you can also gain the additional power and respect you deserve over time and be well on your way to establishing a legacy of visibility, influence, credibility, and longevity in your relationships and career.
x Jasmine Ball is a wife, mom, award-winning journalist, and founder of BTM Writing Services. Throughout her career, she’s been helping companies all over the world get confidence over their content and grow their businesses. With God at the center, Jasmine’s life mission is to use her gift to connect people to resources that will help them live more informed, inspired, and overall better lives.
