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"My Ideas Get Shot Down Every Time I Speak…. |
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"My Ideas Get Shot Down Every Time I Speak…. |
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So, you’re at a meeting- it could be a chapter meeting or it could be a meeting at work… it could just be a chat between you and your better half…. There is something that needs to be accomplished and you’re discussing ways to get it done, but nobody seems to want to hear or consider what you have to say. That’s a difficult and frustrating situation. Eventually, you’ll probably even quit trying to present your ideas, since it appears that no one wants to hear them anyway. (Chapter CO’s are you listening? If you want to lose members, the fastest way to do it is to tune them out and shoot down their ideas.) However, back to you…. does it mean that you don’t ever have good ideas? No. It just means that the folks you’re working with aren’t skilled in Communications. Here are some strategies that your group can follow in order to ensure that everyone has their say and is heard. First, a quick overview on why it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to get their ideas and suggestions out: You never know who is going to have the best idea or, who will bring up and idea that others can build on (brainstorming). Everyone is more committed to a project or event if they had a part in its creation. Total commitment builds excitement and fun! You will alienate people if you constantly ignore their feelings and ideas. Possible scenarios: They leave the group. They sabotage your project or event. Your event isn’t as good as it could’ve been with their input. OK, now how to make sure everyone has their say… First, you need to make sure that the chairperson of the meeting actually has control of the meeting. It’s their job to keep things moving along and to keep an eye out for people who haven’t had a chance to speak as well as those who have done most of the speaking. It is the chairperson’s responsibility to call on folks who have not contributed and ask for their opinion. It is the chairperson’s responsibility to stop folks from prattling on and on after a matter has been decided. Don’t pick a chairperson without the chutzpah to do this! Second, have the courage to speak up and make yourself heard. Your idea might be just the one they were looking for! Don’t give up if there are others in the group who would try to interrupt. Politely discourage them from interrupting you and taking the discussion off track. ("One moment, I’m not quite finished" works well.) And, finally, set some ground rules that everyone agrees on PRIOR to the meeting. The following meeting norms can help keep people on track, let everyone be heard, and make a productive meeting. We agree that each person has an opportunity to give their opinion. We agree that ideas will be listed as they are given and that the negatives AND positives of each idea presented will be discussed. We agree that silence or no contribution from a member does not necessarily mean they are in agreement with those who spoke. Now, you’re on your way to being heard. This doesn’t mean that it will get your idea moved to the top of the chart every time, but it does get it out on the table for everyone to take a look at.
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