Are You Speaking Up For Yourself Enough?

Fearless Female Leadership Podcast with Sheryl Kline, M.A. CHPC

In a world where assertiveness in women, especially women who are further marginalized within our gender, is often misconstrued as aggression, speaking up for ourselves can be a daunting task.

Back in 2017, I decided (remember the meaning of de-cide? ‘Death of’ any other option) that an important stepping stone in my speaking career would be to speak on the main stage at Microsoft’s Women in Cloud conference.

I submitted an application to speak.

It got rejected.

My next question?

‘Do you need a volunteer?’

I finally got a ‘yes’!

I showed up with a smile and offered to do whatever the program director needed. I was essentially checking in the speakers and making sure they were taken care of. I was also meeting the 10 people on my ‘Do not leave this conference until you have a meaningful conversation’ list

In 2018, I asked again and got my next ‘yes’.

That was a goal I set in 2017 as a way of helping more women and girls to have their voices heard, valued, and respected.

If I don’t get asked, I’ll do one of two things. I’ll first ask. If the answer is no, I’ll find out how I can improve, so I can have a better shot next year.

Why?

Because YOU along with the Limitless Leader community are starting a movement for women to have more leadership roles and to have a bigger voice in those roles.

So, is there something in your gut or in your heart that needs to express more or with more influence? Do you need help or buy-in from someone in power? Are you speaking up enough?

Let’s take a step together. Think about one person who you’d like to ask for help or ask for buy-in. Who is it?

Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself that may be helpful prior to having that conversation:

1. What’s my desired outcome or how do I want it to turn out?
2. What’s important to the other person and what obstacles he/she may be up against?
3. What’s my best first step?

If I can help YOU personally or your team in any way to gain clarity on your roadmap, have greater confidence, or learn how to have greater strategic influence, let's have a walking call or a Zoom meeting.

Currently, I’m also offering a small handful of private VIP strategy days where we can roll our sleeves up, put a plan together, and chart a path to your next level of impact, together. Did I mention you’ll have fun, too? Stay tuned for upcoming dates, or you can schedule a time here to see if it’s a good fit for you!

Cheering you on always,

Sheryl