Effective communication in the workplace can be a challenging feat, especially when we find ourselves overanalyzing every word, tone, and timing. It’s time to break free from the shackles of self-doubt and discover the power of successful phrases that can elevate your communication game.
As women navigating professional environments, we often strive to strike the perfect balance between assertiveness and collaboration. In this blog post, we’ll share valuable insights and empowering phrases used by successful women to communicate effectively in the workplace.
Get ready to take your communication skills to new heights!
Remember, Your Opinion Matters
Sharing your opinion in a room full of differing viewpoints can be daunting and nerve-wracking. We’ve all experienced moments where we’ve held back from speaking up. However, it’s important to remember that your opinion holds value and deserves to be heard. Disagreeing with others is not impolite, and you should never apologize for having a different perspective.
When expressing your opinion, consider the timing and be prepared to provide justification to support your argument. Your voice matters, so don’t hesitate to share it confidently and respectfully.
Say something like: “I don’t see it this way. Here’s why.”
Claim Your Space
We’ve all experienced that moment when we finally gather the courage to share our perspective, only to be interrupted and have our thoughts cut off by a coworker. It can be disheartening, but remember that it’s completely acceptable to reclaim the conversation and continue sharing your ideas. If someone interrupts you in a meeting, try to find a natural pause and assertively say, “There are a few more things I’d like to add. Thank you for your input, but I’d like to finish where I left off before we move on further.” This empowers you to ensure your ideas are heard and gives you the rightful space at the table.
Furthermore, this phrase can also be used when a meeting ends abruptly, depriving you of the opportunity to fully express your perspective. In such cases, you can follow up via email, letting your team members know that you have additional thoughts to share. Outline them in the email or schedule a follow-up meeting to continue the discussion. Remember, your ideas are valuable, and it’s important to advocate for their full expression and contribution to the conversation.
Say something like: “There are a few more things I’d like to add.”
Be Honest About Your Workload
Drawing clear boundaries between being a team player and being taken advantage of is essential for successful women in the workplace. It’s not uncommon for women to be asked to shoulder responsibilities beyond their job descriptions, such as event planning or meeting note-taking. While being helpful is admirable, these additional tasks can quickly accumulate, leading to burnout and frustration.
When faced with requests for work that fall outside your role (without appropriate compensation or recognition), don’t hesitate to clarify what aligns with your workload and job description. Rather than leaving your team member hanging, consider offering an alternative solution to avoid becoming a bottleneck. If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have the time to take on a project that deviates from your regular workflow, you can respond by saying, “My current workload is at capacity, but I know X is genuinely passionate about this subject and might be well-suited to take it on.”
Say something like: “My plate is full right now. What is we ask X?”
Advocate for Yourself & What You Deserve
Confident and empowered women understand the value they bring and possess the courage to advocate for what they deserve, even when it may induce anxiety. While we may wish that simply stating our worth would result in a raise, it often requires additional effort to bolster our case. Take the time to conduct thorough research and gain a comprehensive understanding of the fair market rate for your role. Compile a compelling list of reasons that highlight your recent achievements and contributions, emphasizing why you merit a salary increase.
Consider strategically timing your request, such as during your mid-year or end-of-year performance review, or choose a suitable moment to engage in a conversation with your manager when you feel prepared and confident. By expressing your worth directly and assertively, you convey to your manager that you are aware of your value and are willing to advocate for it. Make this phrase a part of your vocabulary to assertively pursue what you desire and rightfully deserve.
Say something like: “I need a raise. Here are a few reasons why.”
Be Proud of Yourself & Don’t Be Shy About It
We often underestimate our own accomplishments. In a society that encourages us to downplay our successes and avoid claiming our space, acknowledging our efforts can seem uncomfortably self-promoting.
But listen closely: you have every right to celebrate your achievements and take pride in your accomplishments. It’s an empowering and gratifying experience. And guess what? You don’t have to celebrate in silence.
Take advantage of moments like 1:1s with your manager, performance reviews, and team meetings to shine a spotlight on your wins and hard work. Don’t hesitate to give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back, especially during team gatherings where your colleagues may not fully grasp the tremendous effort you put into a project. Besides, doing so may encourage others to speak up and share their accomplishments too, creating a strong and healthy work environment.
Say something like: “I’m really proud of the way I did X.”
Set Boundaries with Your Time
Successful women understand the importance of strategic scheduling and making tough decisions about their commitments. This often means politely declining meeting invitations or stepping away from projects where their team can handle the workload without them.
Informing your teammates that you won’t be able to attend a meeting, but still asking for a recap demonstrates your continued interest in the discussion topics without needing to be physically present.
Say something like: “I am unable to make the meeting. Can you provide me with a recap after?”
Share Your Gratitude with Others
In the midst of busy schedules, it’s common to feel the urge to apologize when requesting your coworkers’ time. You might experience a sense of guilt for occupying a slot in their already packed calendars. However, if your reason for reaching out is valid and important, there’s no need to feel burdened by guilt.
Instead of overly apologizing, try using the phrase, “I appreciate you taking the time to chat today.” This conveys your gratitude for their valuable time while avoiding unnecessary apologies. By thanking others for their time, you assert your need for a significant and relevant conversation that aligns with your workload. It’s a polite and respectful way to claim the time you require.
Say something like: “I appreciate you taking the time to chat today.”
Acknowledge Delays
Unless specific response timeframes are outlined in your company policies or agreed upon with your team, there are no strict requirements dictating when you must reply to an email or chat. Therefore, what you may perceive as a delayed response might not actually be considered late. It’s possible that other pressing tasks took priority on your to-do list.
Regardless of the circumstances, incorporating the phrase, “Thanks for your patience!” is a wonderful way to eliminate the self-inflicted guilt of responding later than expected. This simple substitution serves as a quick and effortless alternative to the commonly used “Sorry for the delay!” message that we’ve all sent at some point.
Say something like: “Thank you for your patience.”
Invite Questions & Feedback
You don’t need to justify or seek validation for your ideas. We all have valuable insights to contribute. Instead of fretting over whether your thoughts were effectively conveyed, encouraging questions opens the door for a constructive dialogue among you and your colleagues.
Express your points, whether through spoken or written communication, and conclude with the phrase, “Reach out if you have any questions or concerns,” to signify the conclusion of your input and invite further discussion.
Successful women in the workplace exhibit unwavering confidence in their ideas while also providing an opportunity for additional context, if necessary—no more excessive overthinking, over-explaining, or self-doubt.
Say something like: “Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”
Listen to Feedback & Filter It
Receiving feedback is essential for personal growth and professional development, and successful women in business actively seek feedback, carefully evaluate it, and make necessary changes. However, it’s important to note that not all feedback requires immediate action, and sometimes it takes time to process and internalize the information.
For instance, a teammate may approach you and point out instances where your emails appeared passive-aggressive. In such situations, it can be tempting to become defensive. Instead, embrace the feedback and respond with gratitude, saying, “I appreciate your feedback, and I’ll consider how I can phrase things differently.”
Even when feedback is challenging to hear, it’s crucial to listen attentively and express gratitude to the person providing it. Make a commitment to reflect on the feedback, even if you ultimately decide no further action is required.
Say something like: “Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I will take this into consideration moving forward.”
Effective communication is an art that requires practice and self-assurance. As womenin the workplace, we can harness the power of successful phrases to communicate with confidence, assertiveness, and grace.
By expressing our opinions, setting boundaries, advocating for ourselves, and embracing feedback, we can elevate our communication game and make a lasting impact in our professional environments.
Remember, your voice matters, and your ideas deserve to be heard. So, let’s empower ourselves with these powerful phrases and unlock our full potential as effective communicators in the workplace.
Have you read Our 7 Tips for Writing Powerful Emails?
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