The Power to Speak Up!

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]
Here at the-Coaching Blog-run by Gerard O’Donovan, our aim is to constantly bring value to those seeking to improve their lives. Therefore we have a policy of publishing articles and materials by guest authors whom we value and appreciate. Today’s guest author is Yasmin Vorajee (Ireland).
Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked for your opinion and you lost your voice?  Or you were itching to say something in a meeting because you knew you had something really important to say but it just would not come out?
This is something that I struggled with for a long time and it was not until I went to university and got involved with student politics that I really found my voice and truth be told, it’s hard to shut me up these days!
To be a true and authentic leader, you have to find your voice and speak your truth – not what others think is important.  So how can you do that?  What I have found is it’s not something that you can just turn on and off and I believe it is something that you have to keep practising – whether it’s speaking up in a restaurant that your food is cold or in an important meeting when you know the information you have could really influence the discussion.
So here are my top 3 tips on how to find your voice in any situation and how to deliver the message effectively:

1. Use your belly – draw strength from your core and really breathe into it.  When you take shallow breaths and try and talk at the same time, you can come across as rushed and breathy which does not indicate strength.  So take a deep breath and really draw it in from your belly – your belly is your friend (doesn’t matter if it jiggles!)
2. When you are about to speak, set the intention to be clear.  Start the sentence with a strong statement.  Instead of saying “if I could just add….” replace it with “I believe…”.  You want to sound decisive and with conviction, not apologizing for daring to have an opinion.
3. Thirdly (and this is very important), know your knees will be shaking but it’s ok!  If it helps, keep your hands on your knees to stabilize the shaking and you will be fine.  It’s part of the process and when you are nervous, it means you are invested which is always good!

Speaking up is a muscle that has to be constantly exercised so you just have to start.  After all, if you want to lead others in a meaningful and purposeful way, we need to hear you.  Until we hear your beautiful authentic voice, you will not know the impact you could have on others and that’s where your leadership resides so just start!
 
About the Author
Yasmin Vorajee is a Productivity & Accountability Executive Coach. She trains, coaches and empower business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals get more done in limited time. A professional and accredited trainer & coach, speaker and active blogger. She is passionate about helping people create the success they dream of, on their terms and with no apologies.
[/fusion_text][fusion_code]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[/fusion_code][fusion_pricing_table type=”2″ backgroundcolor=”” bordercolor=”” dividercolor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” columns=”2″][fusion_pricing_column title=”SPONSORED BLOG POSTS” standout=”yes”][fusion_pricing_price currency=”” currency_position=”left” price=”£65.00″ time=”one-off fee” ][/fusion_pricing_price][fusion_pricing_row]For a one-off fee, you are able to submit your own post on the worlds’ largest coaching blog. [/fusion_pricing_row][fusion_pricing_footer][fusion_button link=”http://www.coaching-blog.com/contacts/” title=”Sign Up” target=”_self” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”default” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” size=”” stretch=”default” shape=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]Contact Us[/fusion_button][/fusion_pricing_footer][/fusion_pricing_column][fusion_pricing_column title=”WEBSITE ADVERTISING” standout=”yes”][fusion_pricing_price currency=”” currency_position=”left” price=”£250.00″ time=”three month slot” ][/fusion_pricing_price][fusion_pricing_row]Above the fold rotating banner/box. Price is for a 3 month slot.[/fusion_pricing_row][fusion_pricing_footer][fusion_button link=”http://www.coaching-blog.com/contacts/” title=”Sign Up” target=”_self” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”default” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” size=”” stretch=”default” shape=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]Contact Us[/fusion_button][/fusion_pricing_footer][/fusion_pricing_column][/fusion_pricing_table][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]