Get Ready to "Stop Playing Safe"

“What could you achieve if you were more courageous?”

That’s the question asked by Margie Warrell, author of the recently released book, Stop Playing Safe: Rethink Risk. Unlock the Power of Courage. Achieve Outstanding Success. In her book, she shares powerful tools and techniques for helping women overcome fear and achieve greater success and fulfillment. Here are a few good points that Margie makes about effective communication: 

Issues that aren’t talked out are acted out. Failing to speak up, say what you think and ask for what you want can be very costly to your relationships and career. 
Communication is not defined by what’s said but by what’s heard. Be mindful of how others will interpret what you have to say. 
The more emotional or sensitive an issue, the greater the need for you to set your intention ahead of time, prepare in advance what you want to say and be sure not to let other people’s emotions hijack your own. 
Don’t let the words you use undermine your influence and the message you want to convey. Use positive and powerful language. For example, turn “I think I can do that” into “I can do that”; “I’m nervous” into “I’m excited”; “I hope I can” into “I know I will”; or “I’m no good at” into “I have yet learned how to.”
Women must be extra careful not to use language in ways that undermine their ability to influence change. Avoid the “double-voice discourse,” where you may prejudge your audience’s response to be a negative one. For instance, “Correct me if I’m wrong” or “I know I’m not the ultimate expert on this” automatically discounts your insights and knowledge. 
If you aren’t feeling as confident, assertive, and self-assured as you’d like to be, act as if you are. Your way of being speaks more loudly than your words. 

 

Excerpted with permission of the publisher, Wiley, Stop Playing Safe: Rethink Risk. Unlock the Power of Courage. Achieve Outstanding Success by Margie Warrell. Copyright (c) 2013 by Margie Warrell Global Pty Ltd.