Feb
Your voice matters
Kristen Marano
Empowered and eager, graduates are like eagles ready to spread their wings and soar into their careers. Once in their first jobs, it’s not surprising that after years of endless studying, assignments and interning, that we juniors, are keen to share our food for thought.
Yet, in a workplace of talented, forward-thinking and hard-working professionals, it’s human to be intimated and hold back, only to later regret not speaking up.
My pitch idea might not make sense.
What if my team members judge me?
My voice isn’t valuable.
Heart racing, hot flashes, clammy hands, and ultimately fear. These are real thoughts and emotions that I have experienced as an account coordinator.
A year and counting into my career at Environics Communications, I have learned through brainstorms with the technology team and cross-practices, client meetings and one-on-one conversations, that a junior voice is as valuable as our senior peers and mentors. I have learned that it’s not only training and practice that gives you the right to speak and consult.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, he presents the notion that 10,000 hours of practice or 10 years of work coin an expert. Gladwell’s concept is weighty; however, while expertise is credible and valuable to help our clients innovate and succeed, life experiences, character, generational insight and multiculturalism, for example, are equally beneficial and influential. Junior and senior. Twenty-two and over-the-hill. Jubilant and reserved.
While Generation Y grew up with the Internet, baby boomers came to it later. While senior management once monitored the media in their first public relations job, an account coordinator today could bring a new perspective to improve the process. From every angle, every voice matters.
At Environics, everyone is encouraged to ask questions and share suggestions. It’s reassuring to know that even as a “minor-niners” our voices can be heard and valued. We share personal and professional goals. A conversation in the kitchen. A Lunch and Learn that tips the iceberg for a new pitch. We’re all in it together. No one is out to get me or you. We all want each other to learn, succeed, grow and learn more.
How can we build our confidence to speak up? Here are tips that have helped me and others:
Encourage your team members: If someone asks me for my thoughts, I’m often more willing to speak up. People like to share what they think and know.
Try Toast Masters: Practice public speaking to help calm your jitters. Join fellow professionals, receive feedback and build leadership skills. This is on my to-do list.
Prepare: Avoid the risk of jumbled thoughts, and prepare bullet-point notes that you can comfortably and confidently share.
Read Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: For 20 years, this book has helped people overcome personal and professional challenges. The key is to first learn to shift your perceptions to positive thinking.
Team support: A simple thank you note or high five for great work can build a team member’s confidence, and encourage further contributions to discussions.
You don’t have to wait 10 years to be a communications expert or veteran. Spread your wings and soar into your next brilliant idea.
I welcome your suggestions. What works for you?
Thank you for sharing your experience, Kristen. I know many junior PR professionals are shy to speak up, however, as you point out, every voice does matter. I often find junior team members have extensive knowledge and insight on social media aspects and can really add valuable insight to a campaign. They also often come to the table with fresh and innovative ideas. I encourage you to continue voicing your opinion. It really does matter!
Great insight Kristen! As a former account coordinator I relate to all you have said and agree that every voice matters. Another tip that worked for me is simply to become an expert in my practice; to make sure I read up and know what’s going on. This helps me formulate new ideas, know who my client’s competitors are, etc.
Great post. At the risk of sounding a little too “kumbaya”, I agree with your observation that we’re all in this together. As public relations professionals we work in teams. No man is an island in our business and team encouragement is key when it comes to grooming ideas that work.
I’m on the cusp of Gen Y – a ‘ 78 baby – so I’m far from being a boomer, but with the speed at which technology develops today even I’m finding that recent grads offer knowledge that’s new to me. “Over the hill” comes a lot sooner nowadays so fresh, young, on-the-pulse minds are more important than ever if we want to stay connected and relevant in our field. Recent grads: don’t hold back!
Good post, Kristen. One of the best ways a newer, younger staff member can earn trust and gain self-confidence (and exposure) is to go the extra mile when completing a task — even a mundane one — by adding some insight into things you may notice along the way. For example, if asked to compile and measure client media coverage, the first responsibility is to do so thoroughly and accurately within the time frame required. But by actually reading (or at least skimming) the coverage perhaps you notice that a positive term or phrase is consistently used. Point this out; perhaps it’s a term that should be incorporated into media materials in the future to foster its use. By showing you are observant, analytical and curious (in addition to thorough and attuned to detail) you earn trust and inclusion.
Thank you for all your great suggestions.
Hi Kristen,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I find that what is KEY is visual non-verbals. I’m referring to a smile. Not the courtesy smile, but a smile from your eyes, that forms those little folds of skin and crowfeet. That’s really genuine, and it may allow for a co-worker to get into a really comfortable position to voice their ideas. Careful not to overdo it with new comers though, since it may throw them off!
Thank you!