Are You Speaking Up For Yourself Enough?

<p>In a world where assertiveness in women, especially women who are further marginalized within our gender, is often misconstrued as aggression, speaking up for ourselves can be a daunting task.</p><p>Back in 2017, I decided (remember the meaning of de-cide? ‘Death of’ any other option) that an important stepping stone in my speaking career would be to speak on the main stage at Microsoft’s Women in Cloud conference. </p><p>I submitted an application to speak. </p><p>It got rejected.</p><p>My next question?</p><p>‘Do you need a volunteer?’</p><p>I finally got a ‘yes’!</p><p>I showed up with a smile and offered to do whatever the program director needed. I was essentially checking in the speakers and making sure they were taken care of. I was also meeting the 10 people on my ‘Do not leave this conference until you have a meaningful conversation’ list</p><p>In 2018, I asked again and got my next ‘yes’.</p><p>That was a goal I set in 2017 as a way of helping more women and girls to have their voices heard, valued, and respected.</p><p>If I don’t get asked, I’ll do one of two things. I’ll first ask. If the answer is no, I’ll find out how I can improve, so I can have a better shot next year.</p><p>Why?</p><p>Because YOU along with the Limitless Leader community are starting a movement for women to have more leadership roles and to have a bigger voice in those roles. </p><p>So, is there something in your gut or in your heart that needs to express more or with more influence? Do you need help or buy-in from someone in power? Are you speaking up enough?</p><p>Let’s take a step together. Think about one person who you’d like to ask for help or ask for buy-in. Who is it? </p><p>Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself that may be helpful prior to having that conversation:</p><ol><li>What’s my desired outcome or how do I want it to turn out?</li><li>What’s important to the other person and what obstacles he/she may be up against?</li><li>What’s my best first step?</li></ol><p>If I can help YOU personally or your team