How to Talk So Men Will Listen

by Marian K. Woodall

If being powerful means acting effectively, one key for greater success is to recognize that you are equal to the people or person to whom you are speaking. The mind-set that says, "I don't think I'm very important... I don't think my opinion matters very much... I'm a woman... I'm only a secretary... I'm just support staff ... I'm the most junior persons on the team..." does not enable a person to effectively demonstrate necessary powerful verbal and nonverbal qualities. This mind-set also does not enable a person to avoid those negative communications characteristics that accompany and accentuate ineffectiveness. How can you become powerful by demonstrating equality? Feel like an equal. Act like an equal. Sound like an equal. Look like an equal.