How to find your style and voice at work
Finding your communication style at work is one of the trickiest things to do. For some people, this comes naturally. For others, it’s awkward and can turn career-limiting – which, let’s face it, nobody wants. Whether you’re outspoken and extroverted or a quiet achiever, establishing your voice at work is an essential step in your professional journey.
In this post, you’ll find five tips from a professional about nailing your communication style at work.
First, here are a few understandable reasons for struggling with communication:
- You think you’re too junior or being out-ranked
- Feeling like an imposter
- Anxiety around public speaking or written communication
- Uncertainty of where you want your career to go
- Not being confident in the subject matter
While one post can’t solve all these things, I encourage you to use the tips below as thought starters and exercises to get more comfortable with your voice.
Pro Tip #1: Be intentional about how you communicate and the energy that you project
I encourage you to be yourself through and through. However, thinking about how you show up when communicating can help set you up for success. For example, I am often an excitable communicator. I get incredibly passionate about topics, sometimes to the detriment of others (by being loud and too talkative. A bit extra, some might say). I’ve had to consciously tweak my approach to remain true to myself while creating a more inviting and collaborative environment and not dominating the conversation. When coaching my team members, especially those who lean on the introverted side, I like to use a couple of tools:
- Create a vision board of people whose presence inspires you. It could be a journalist, a sports personality, your mom, a CEO, or a TV character. It doesn’t have to be one person – there may be different components that motivate you. Use that as inspo for how YOU want to project yourself.
- Pay attention in meetings with senior folks. Hopefully, you’ll notice a mix of loud and quiet voices. In my experience, neither one is better than the other, but often introverted types won’t say a lot, but when they do speak, it’s mic-drop-smart, and they leave their mark. Leaders who don’t let others get a word in, or who steal other’s thunder might drip in charisma, but their voice isn’t necessarily authentic.
There is space for all communication styles; your job is to figure out how to use yours most effectively.
Pro Tip #2: Learn your craft
Whether you’re already an expert, just starting in a new role, or making an entirely new career pivot, learning your craft is essential to add credibility to your communication style. The people who fluff their way through are not the people others want to work with (including clients). What’s great about this is that it gives everyone, including you, an opportunity to contribute thoughtfully to projects and conversations. For example, if you are in a generalist role servicing a client – learn their business as best you can & keep up with general trends in the category. If you’re a subject matter expert, learn as much as possible about your area of expertise. You don’t need to be a walking-talking-google, but knowing your stuff will help you confidently project and add value to workplace projects and discussions. It is, after all, the reason you’re “in the room”.
Pro Tip #3: Refine your point of view
Refining your point of view is what can separate you from the pack. Do you see an opportunity to improve the way your company does business? Can you use something in pop culture to compare, contrast, or inspire new thinking? Is there a gap in what your competitors are or aren’t doing? Bringing your unique twist to a professional challenge is a great way to stand out and goes beyond simply knowing a subject – anyone can do that. Having a point of view is entirely different and much more valuable as you progress in your career.
Pro Tip #4: Say It Out Loud
I hope you work in (or aspire to work in) an environment where speaking up is encouraged. One of my favorite moments as a senior manager was reviewing a draft piece of work in a room with 20-something people. I wasn’t super fond of an idea presented, and after discussion, we agreed to remove it. At the very last minute, one of the most junior people in the room spoke up, provided a compelling rationale for keeping it in, and convinced us all immediately. He knew his stuff, had heart for the idea, and communicated effectively – speaking up was absolutely the right thing to do. So, my tip is to take your shot and speak up on an idea, thought, etc., big or small – get out there and thoughtfully practice refining your communication style.
Pro Tip #5: Keep an open mind by LISTENING to what’s going on around you
Oof, I have fallen down on this one in the past. When I’ve been extremely passionate about something and insist that I’m right, it’s resulted in utterly ineffective communication. My voice has gotten lost in a cycle of political bullshit (even when I know I’m right 😊). So what’s the solution? Even if you disagree, you still need to keep an open mind. LISTEN TO WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND YOU. And by listen, I mean really, truly listen. In a meeting, don’t practice what you’re about to say in your head while others are talking – LISTEN. Even when someone is expressing an opinion or recommendation you disagree with – LISTEN. Listening doesn’t mean you have to agree, but it will provide you with:
- The space to support the inclusion of those around you and learn from others’ experience
- A chance to read the room & know how to frame your contribution
- The right moment or segue to express your point of view
Everyone deserves a voice in the workplace; your job is to find your communication style and develop the skills to express yourself clearly. Whether you are loud, energetic, quiet, or rambunctious – show up unapologetically as yourself and own it.
