Your boss asks for your opinion on a thorny marketing challenge during a meeting with colleagues. Do you tell her the unfiltered truth, or do you try and appease everyone in the room and not say what is on your mind?
The colleagues who stand out from my career are always those who were frank and honest and diplomatic at the same time. They are direct and specific in their opinion and analysis, but do it in a civil and collaborative voice. By delivering painful news or unfiltered truth, they help a business name the problem without mincing words. They also never blame someone as they avoid attacking people. Instead, they focus on the business problem.
Truthtellers
If you are facing this type of situation, consider these tips to deliver the unfiltered truth and be heard:
- DON’T PRETEND: You can’t solve tricky business or marketing challenges pretending they don’t exist.
- STAY CALM: By being calm, civil, and thoughtful, people will listen even if they don’t want to hear the truth.
- DON’T YELL: Yelling, being angry, and throwing ad hominins around accomplishes nothing. No one can hear you when you scream. People listen when you whisper and speak with authority about the problem.
- BE THOUGHTFUL: Wait until you can articulate a precise description of the root cause of a situation and offer at least one suggestion to resolve it. Even if you don’t know the answer to a resolution, suggest a direction, concept, or an approach that can help.
- BE PATIENT: Speaking last can be powerful because everyone has chimed in and you can be the voice of truth and reason – especially if your analysis is naming the elephant in the room, where others don’t want to say what is plainly visible and obvious to everyone.
When I think about the hours of meetings I have sat through in my career, what sticks out as meaningful was when someone is bone-dry honest. Admitting the truth, facing the problem and stating out loud what everyone knows, can help you become a more respected and effective leader.
It is remarkable what the unfiltered truth can do to help you grow your business. and your career.
You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. Visit my website at www.themarketingsage.com The conversation is free, and we can explore working together.
Photo by Joël de Vriend on Unsplash
