Finding your voice

As young professionals whether seeking out (like myself) or just beginning our careers, finding your voice can be difficult. How or when to assert yourself or join in the conversation can be tricky. Being respectful of those who have wisdom to share and more experience is monumentally important; we aren’t (believe it or not) all knowing beings (as our colleges may have led us to believe). My only concern is when this respect turns into self-deprecation. While searching for jobs I have to remember that I am not only worthy but am and will one day (hopefully soon) be an important contributor to an organization. It would be easy to get down on myself and dismiss my own self worth. With that, Ash and I recently discussed an instance when her boss dismissed her thoughts about a project when clearly her insight did in fact greatly improve the process. Although he does have the final say and is the boss, I encouraged Ash to keep chiming in when she feels it appropriate. Her boss may be wrong in dismissing her but Ash has the choice to keep trying to open up those lines of communication while learning a great deal about what kind of leader she wants to be one day. Should I still write this blog post even if I fear that others don’t think its intelligent or thought provoking? Yes. I must proceed in my personal and professional life with the confidence knowing that my two cents is not only valid but also needed in the conversation. Then, later in our careers we will be able to call out greatness in younger employees and encourage them to also find their voice.