HOW TO BE A BETTER ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL

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So what if you don't speak up at work. It's the quality of your work that counts, right? Well, not exactly. If you're quiet or even timid at work read why it could pay for you to work on your assertiveness and self-confidence.

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EXPERT Q&A FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS

QUESTION:  I’m good at my actual work as an administrative professional, but I think that I’m less assertive than my admin peers at work. Perhaps you could even describe me as timid at times when it comes to speaking up at staff meetings or communicating verbally in-depth with my managers. I’m starting to wonder if this is affecting my chances at salary increases and promotions in a negative way. Do you think that being and appearing more assertive and self-confident at work gives administrative professionals an edge over their peers who are not so when it comes to career advancement and salary increases?

The answer is yes. Self-confidence has everything to do with your ability to advance, and most certainly affects things like promotions and salary increases.

That said, all is not lost if you’re not an “outgoing” person. Many people in the world who once thought themselves shy have advanced in ways they never thought possible. To name a few: Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Tom Hanks and Lucille Ball. Imagine that!

Gaining self-confidence takes a small shift in the way you view yourself and interact with the world. Let me explain:

You are you. There’s only one you in the world. Your ideas, thoughts, feelings, opinions, actions – all these and more are unique and, therefore, priceless. Really. There will never be another you. This is a given. If you accept this, you’re already on the right track to greater self-confidence.

You have value. That means the efforts you make to help advance a project or cause, the thoughts you have during a meeting, all have value. Without going into too much detail (or getting too complicated), there are obviously different levels of value…. If the idea that strikes you in a meeting is one you already know won’t work, then there’s little value in voicing it. Conversely, if you sit quietly while a glorious, perfect brainstorm hits you squarely between the eyes, you are squandering your value. Make sense?

You have the ability to speak up – at any time. It does take practice. It’s not easy. Look at me – I’m a public speaker. I definitely know, more than most people, how challenging it can be to stand before a group and share your viewpoint. However, I approach this as a choice. I would rather feel exhilarated by expressing my thoughts and truly connecting with people than worry I’ll fall flat on my face at any given time. Sure, that’s a risk – but it minimizes dramatically, to the point you almost forget it, as you gain more experience. Speaking up may seem awkward at first. You may even trip over your words. Everyone does! So forget about that. Focus on the prize: Sharing your ideas. Making a difference.

Here are a few techniques that can help you feel – and appear – more confident immediately in any situation:

• Make eye contact. If you can’t bring yourself to do this (a strong, almost intimate act of confidence), fudge it – and look at the bridge between the eyes of the person you are addressing. Or, if you’re making a presentation before a group, sweep your eyes around the room, looking at people’s heads while you talk. You will be “seen” as connecting – and you’ll command more respect, which will boost your self-confidence.

• Hold something – anything. This may sound odd, but studies have shown that having an item as small as a pen or cup in your hand at a meeting (especially for women) can make you seem even more “businesslike.”

• Speak loudly. Project your words. Enunciate them. Make every syllable count. Think before you say anything. All these can boost confidence – and help others see you that way.

With practice, and the use of countless resources on the Web or in books, you can turn shyness into self-confidence – and that can literally help transform your career. Good luck!
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Joan Burge, founder and CEO of Office Dynamics, is one of North America’s foremost experts, authors and trainers on administrative excellence and workplace effectiveness. To learn more about Office Dynamics and the many ways it helps advance careers for administrative professionals, visit OfficeDynamics.com or call 800-STAR-139.