There’s a wonderful feeling that comes when someone has genuinely heard what we say. We feel acknowledged and understood. Quite the opposite occurs when we feel we’re neither heard nor understood. We feel isolated and adrift.
In “We Can All Be Better Listeners,” I wrote about how we can sharpen our listening skills to be more engaged and attuned to others. On the flipside, we also have to make sure we’re being heard and our needs are being met. It’s a complicated dance but not unachievable.
In the workplace, as in life, there are differing perspectives and competing priorities. And sometimes our voice can get lost in the shuffle. In her article, “Speak Up: A Guide To Getting Your Voice Heard At Work,” Ashira Prossack offers three tips: speak with conviction; speak with intention; and make it a conversation. She encourages people to speak clearly and assertively, and to pitch ideas in a way that encourages others to ask questions.
To be heard, you might need to change your communication style, writes Sarah Landrum in “How to Ensure Your Voice Is Heard at Work.” Our communication style includes body language. Stand tall, look people in the eye and make sure your voice projects. But it’s not simply a matter of being louder says Andrea Kihlstedt in her article, “What Should You Do When You Don’t Feel Heard?” She suggests “changing the channel,” which means finding the frequency of your audience and speaking on their wavelength so they’ll tune in.
Perhaps to bring important skills to the workplace, you need to practice outside it. And no, it’s not a matter of practicing in front of the mirror. Leadership coach Susan Ritchie suggests volunteering outside your immediate work as a way to gain invaluable skills you can use at work. Networking can also help. Read her article, “Smart Ways to Be Seen and Heard at Work.”
Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, wrote “Being heard and understood is ‘one of the greatest desires of the human heart.’” If you’re not feeling heard at work, perhaps it’s time to take a critical, but kind, look at how and what you’re doing. Make a list of your accomplishments, your strengths and an area or two you could improve upon. Don’t berate yourself––acknowledge your humanity and don’t ignore your feelings.