My post on 04/03 tackled getting into alignment at work, and it was a doozie! Many of you had requests to go a bit deeper into the content, so I will break it in pieces and share a bit more about each of the “7 Ways To Get Alignment At Work” (and in life!). This is an expansion of tip #4: Alignment With Others – Speak Up
“Every word has consequences. Every silence, too.”
- Jean Paul Sartre
We spend a lot of time standing in judgement of others and ourselves. Questioning motives and outcomes that others have caused, and those that we’ve been involved in. Somewhere along the way we’ve lost touch with our truest self. The one who remembers what it’s like to be human. To have their feelings hurt. To doubt their own abilities. To stop speaking our truth.
Solution-Focused and Forward-Looking
A strategy to increase the impact of speaking up is to ensure that your conversations are solution-focused and forward-looking. A few tricks to do that:
Share what you are feeling.
Discuss what you’ve tried to improve the situation or how you are feeling about it.
Ask for their opinion before sharing yours.
The last step is my favorite, as it honors your care for the other person. But don’t forget that you are next. I’ve often observed conversations like this where someone doesn’t come prepared with any suggestions for improvement. Try to come with some offering of consideration. If you are plum out of ideas, it’s ok to be honest about that. This could be an opportunity for you to build on their ideas that they shared.
If for some reason the person you are talking to also doesn’t have any progressive ideas, agree to reconvene. People process information differently and allowing time for those who need it is necessary. It can also produce a better outcome for all.
Alignment Over Balance
Balance is a misnomer as it makes people feel like things are “even” or “fair.” I prefer working for alignment. Which is probably the yogi in me. Not perfect alignment, but the kind you might achieve after a chiropractic adjustment. Something that helps you feel more like you and relieves some of the pressure that’s been building. Before you can be aligned with others, you first need to be aligned FOR YOU.
What will make you feel comfortable?
What’s the outcome you are looking for?
How can you communicate authentically while honoring others?
It’s not an easy thing to do. In fact, in my decades of working with humans in the work world, I’ve observed humans are not talented at this.
So, make a commitment to do one thing to get in line with yourself and communicate your truth effectively. I’d love to hear how it goes in the comments below!
Peace and Progress,
Anna