Why should you take a stand on an issue, or push your position in a business environment? The answer is simple. By publicly declaring where you stand, you invest in what you said. As it becomes public, you are forced to expand on what you mean, and why you believe what you do.
If you are in a leadership position, this is an extremely important point to remember because your audience not only looks to you for expertise and direction, but also expects you to have a strong rationale for you position. Back it up. When you write or speak, invest in the background material to your main points.
Be prepared to answer questions. Recognize you may not have all the answers if you are in a Q&A session. Promise to get back to people with information if you don’t immediately know the answer. Make sure to follow-up. Don’t leave them hanging.
When you take a stand, there is a human need to demonstrate consistency. So back up what you say and stay on point. Otherwise you are seen as fickle. Great leaders demonstrate their trustworthiness by staying on message.
Sometimes you actually need to get up in front of your employees or a large group of customers to demonstrate your public beliefs. Don’t neglect those situations. By speaking out in these types of forums, you are forced to back up your positions. Use them to firm up what you believe and why you believe it. It will foster greater understanding among your employees and customers, and help you better structure your goals.
If you are in a leadership position, this is an extremely important point to remember because your audience not only looks to you for expertise and direction, but also expects you to have a strong rationale for you position. Back it up. When you write or speak, invest in the background material to your main points.
Be prepared to answer questions. Recognize you may not have all the answers if you are in a Q&A session. Promise to get back to people with information if you don’t immediately know the answer. Make sure to follow-up. Don’t leave them hanging.
When you take a stand, there is a human need to demonstrate consistency. So back up what you say and stay on point. Otherwise you are seen as fickle. Great leaders demonstrate their trustworthiness by staying on message.
Sometimes you actually need to get up in front of your employees or a large group of customers to demonstrate your public beliefs. Don’t neglect those situations. By speaking out in these types of forums, you are forced to back up your positions. Use them to firm up what you believe and why you believe it. It will foster greater understanding among your employees and customers, and help you better structure your goals.