Set yourself free and don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. It can help build confidence in the long run.
Voicing your opinion at work is sometimes a delicate walk on a tightrope. Going against the majority can leave you an outsider, taking on your boss may leave you at risk of getting into their bad books and speaking out at the wrong time may leave you looking silly among your peers. However, if you feel strongly about a topic, you should speak up. But in a way that still lets you keep your job and your friends at work. Here are some tips on how to share your opinion:
Yes, it may seem counterproductive when you want to speak out, but listening is actually the first step if you want to share your opinion in the workplace.
This way you can gather what the general perspective is about a topic, and plan how you can put across your point in the most respectful and impactful way. When you understand the other side, you are also taken more seriously, when you decide to rock the boat a bit.
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The power of 30! How these top bosses overcame stress, ennui to make it big
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New beginnings, fresh ideas, lots of stress and stray depressing moments. Here’s what this bunch of 40 Under Forty achievers remember when they look back to when they were 30-year-olds.
Here: Viren Rasquinha (left) and Namita Thapar (right).
New beginnings, fresh ideas, lots of stress and stray depressing moments. Here’s what this bunch of 40 Under Forty achievers remember when they look back to when they were 30-year-olds.
Here: Viren ..
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I had just moved back to India from the US. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I had just graduated from MBA (Wharton School). I didn’t know, specifically, what I wanted to do but I knew that the journey would begin by moving back to India. It was where my friends and family were. I had been away for 12 years, so it was time to come back. I moved back in 2006 and in 2009, I co-founded Faering Capital and the rest is history.
I had just moved back to India from the US. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I had just graduated from MBA (Wharton School). I didn’t know, specifically, what I wanted to do but I knew that ..
Read More
I was sitting at home, planning my next idea. I had quit my job at ICICI Bank and was pondering my next move. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something of my own. I was, literally, at home for a year. That’s how I came up with the idea for Citrus Pay (acquired by PayU). There were dull, depressing moments, but I persevered.
I was sitting at home, planning my next idea. I had quit my job at ICICI Bank and was pondering my next move. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something of my own. I was, literally, at ..
Read More
It was close to the London Olympics. I was with the Olympic Gold Quest and preparing for our first Olympics. It turned out to be fantastic. I never think too much ahead and have never been someone who thinks too much. If you do good things, good things come.
It was close to the London Olympics. I was with the Olympic Gold Quest and preparing for our first Olympics. It turned out to be fantastic. I never think too much ahead and have never been someone wh..
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At 30, I was still discovering myself a bit. I don’t want to sound cliched, but at 30, one has just had kids and is trying to settle down and figure out ways to move forward. Now I’m way more secure, at peace. Steve Jobs once said, “Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown your own inner voice.” That comes true as you turn 40. Turning 40 is a beautiful, beautiful feeling and I hope to feel even better when I’m 50.
At 30, I was still discovering myself a bit. I don’t want to sound cliched, but at 30, one has just had kids and is trying to settle down and figure out ways to move forward. Now I’m way more secure,..
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I was just about setting up IIFL. I was at Kotak Mahindra Wealth Management and had put in my papers. There were eight of us who decided to start IIFL. We wanted to do something entrepreneurial. It was a time for new beginnings. I was very adventurous and got lot of support from my wife Shilpa. She was keen that I do something on my own and it worked out extremely well. If I think about it now, it seems much more adventurous than it seemed at 30.
I was just about setting up IIFL. I was at Kotak Mahindra Wealth Management and had put in my papers. There were eight of us who decided to start IIFL. We wanted to do something entrepreneurial. It w..
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I was two years into BankBazaar. We started when I was 28. I was in Chennai, after having moved back from the US. The first few years were tough because I went from being in a well-paid job in New York City to being back in my parents’ house in Chennai. It was a big change and also a very stressful time because you are worried about so many different things. How is the company going to grow, will customers accept it, will banks be happy about it, will government regulators support it? It was very stressful at 30.
I was two years into BankBazaar. We started when I was 28. I was in Chennai, after having moved back from the US. The first few years were tough because I went from being in a well-paid job in New Yo..
Be positive Don’t start a conversation by saying, “No” or “I disagree”. These are harsh statements and chances are that your peers and boss’s hackles will rise as soon as these negative words leave your mouth. A better way to put it across is to say you understand and then ask them to consider another perspective — yours. When you treat people with respect, they reflect it back on you. This helps ease potential clashes and actually lets you be heard.
Small signs Watch out for the cues that your body language is sending out when you’re trying to speak your mind. Do not under any circumstances raise your voice; scrunch up your eyebrows or cross your arms when putting your points across.
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This shows you’re under confident, aggressive or even reluctant to be in the situation. Instead, talk in a moderate tone and keep your arms loosely by your side, without clenching your fists. Relaxed body language will actually make you calmer and help you speak clearly.
Facts The best way to speak your mind is to turn to facts. No one can argue with those. Make sure your opinion is coming from a place of knowledge and do your due diligence before putting your point across. This also helps in letting you focus on the topic at hand instead of rambling, which is often what happens when you have a heated debate. Don’t overthink it If you want to speak up at work, do it.
Don’t overthink it There are a number of reasons why giving your opinion can actually be a good thing. Your boss will know you are a passionate employee and are willing to stick your neck out for something you believe in. Even if they don’t agree with you, you can learn why you may be wrong or simply just encourage a discussion. You have a voice, learn to use it.
