How to be the leadership voice for those who do not have one

While traveling with my son in Germany, we happened upon the Berlin wall for which numerous artists articulated messages such as the one I am sharing now. When I look at this artwork, I see so many voices trying to be heard and those fading off in the distance who no longer have a voice. As I ponder the meaning for me, I am grateful for my ancestors who came to the US from Austria, Czechoslovakia and Russia seeking opportunity for which I realize a better life.

I often wonder if my fierce independence is the culmination of all the DNA from those who took a risk and were driven for success. I also think of those who don’t have the confidence or opportunity to be heard. That is why much of my passion is to help elevate those who have lost their voice.  It’s in my DNA and why I share these thoughts with you. 

Insight: Be the leadership voice for those who do not have one.

Context: Whether you are already a people leader or simply an individual contributor, do you truly see those around you whose voice is not heard? Are there people that are scribbling notes in a meeting, looking down as you pass them or rush off after a meeting hoping no one will ask them a question. Think about those people and ask yourself if they need someone; possibly you to be there to listen to and potentially be their voice to elevate them? 

Impact: By simply being in tune with the people in your environment, you may see someone that because you asked them what they were thinking, you may awake them to use their voice. You can also hear their stories and elevate their thoughts if you have the access and communication skills to advocate. By being in service to just one person, their unheard or faded voice can be front and center; forever changing the trajectory of that person’s life. 

In real life: Reverting back to my son who is serving in the military, I asked him over dinner if he enjoyed his work and why. He responded that he loves his work because 1) he loves his country, 2) he dislikes bullies and 3) he wants to protect those who cannot protect themselves. As a mother, my heart is filled with joy seeing him mature, values driven and living a purposeful life. As he seeks to help those who cannot help themselves, could you do the same for others? 

Potential Actions:

• Have coffee with a peer who is silent in your meetings and ask them how they felt and if given the opportunity, what is their opinion or how would they approach the situation. Ask permission if you could call on them at the next meeting and ask them to share their idea. Sometimes they like being called on vs. raising their voice for risk of not being heard and respected.
• If you are quite and need to be heard, could you float your idea with a colleague? Then when you present your idea, your colleague jumps in and supports you. It’s a great way to build confidence in your own voice
• Leaders need to set a precedence that they expect to hear everyone’s voice. Even if a person does not have a unique view, they can agree or disagree and present their reasons. You may need to set the expectation that every voice is important and to facilitate that expectation. In the process you build confidence because everyone is expected to contribute to the conversation. 

Challenge: Look back at the image and reflect on what you see and how you feel. I felt inspiration to share how leaders need to be the voice to elevate others. Through your experiences, you may feel a different message coming through to you from the artist. How does it make you feel? I’d love to know! I love the intellectual stimulation due to the interpretive nature and the ability to create new pathways in our brain. (yes, I’m a bit of a geek!) 

Need more help?

• Send me a note with your situation and let’s talk through how to evolve your approach.
• Want to connect as part of a collective, consider The Drop In Collective offered on October 24 & October 25th where a team can help you navigate your unique situations with confidence. See below for more details.

… and here are some more resources for you: 

Powerful words for influence is a popular webinar that I’ve given many times. I’m sharing access with you to pick up some additional tips to elevate your influence! 

The Drop In CEO podcast, my blog and my book, The CEO’s Compass can be great resources for you to navigate challenges with confidence

If you just want to connect with me and see how I can support you in a business or personal setback, let’s have a conversation.

Wishing you well and continued success!

-Deb

Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War, as named by the Western Allies. Wikipedia During my visit to Europe, I was deeply moved by this location as well as the museum I toured with my son David. While today it is a photo opportunity for tourists, it was a symbol of humanitarian struggles. The museum told us of hero’s who helped those those through this crisis as well as those that never made it across. Hundreds of stories of great leadership inspired me despite immense consequences. 

Insight: Look around your circle and do you see individuals or teams in crisis? Do you become their hero to help them struggle less despite immense effort and potential risk of an undesirable outcome? 

In real life: I was mentoring someone for many, many hours in my professional organization and while the person had gained their confidence and had grown so much, their situation was dire due to a toxic culture. I could have told them to leave the organization, but they never would have discovered that for themselves. I could have walked away from the relationship despite the hours invested, but I chose to ride it out to the end. In the end, they left the organization, regained their personal self worth and are living a life full of joy and purpose.  I did not walk away, because the human element is too important to me and making an impact on one person at a time is critical to leadership. 

Impact: Time is a precious commodity for which we must spend it wisely, but picking situations where we help change the trajectory of an individual or team is a worthy investment. We have one life to live and we are in control of who we help and how we leave our legacy on humanity. 

Potential Actions:

• Start an informal mentorship program; hone your craft and realize the impact you can make
• Look for other areas of the business where work is not running as smoothly as yours. Reach out to those leaders and offer your services in helping that team struggle less
• Celebrate the work of others who teach new skills, help someone who was struggling on a project sacrifices their needs for the needs of others. 

Challenge: Find your Checkpoint Charlie in your organization and develop a strategic proposal that will lessen the pain and move people through the challenge. Whether it is embraced or not, you develop the skill of assessing the big picture and providing a solution to leave your legacy. 

Need more help?

• Send me a note with your situation and let’s talk through how to evolve your approach.
• Framework of One: One Team, One Way, One Goal was an article I wrote about immense challenges I was facing and how I took a step back to assess the landscape and come forward with a strategy to move my work from crisis to one that had a lasting impact. 
• Want to connect as part of a collective, consider The Drop In Collective offered on October 24 & October 25th where a team can help you navigate your unique situations with confidence. See below for more details.
• The Drop In CEO podcast, my blog and my book, The CEO’s Compass can be great resources for you to navigate challenges with confidence
• If you just want to connect with me and see how I can support you in a business or personal setback, let’s have a conversation.

Wishing you well and continued success!

-Deb