Hacks for Being Heard

Cindy AlvarezDirector of User Experience, Yammer@cindyalvarez

Problem:

No space for you

Use your stuff

Problem:

Talking too fast

Breathebetween each

sentence

Problem:

No chance to speak up

Speak & Stall“Let me think about

that for a sec—”

Problem:

Someone steals your idea

Point out & Expand“Yes, that’s what I said earlier. I also

think…”

Problem:

Your idea gets dismissed

Demand a Reason“Can you explain why my idea won’t work?”

Problem:

No one gives a reason

Demand Alternatives

“Then what should we do instead?”

(If you don’t have a concrete idea, we should use mine.)

Problem:

You lack experience/expertise

Provide a “why”“We should try this, and here’s why…”

Problem:

Is my work being valued?

State your plan“I am going to do X

and Y. Is there anything higher

priority I should be doing instead?”

Problem:

Am I getting credit for my work?

Summarize results“I did X and Y, to

solve Z problem. Do you have any other

suggestions?”