2. After You Speak Up: Approach Your Supervisor
When you’re used to having your ideas steamrolled or forgotten, I know that speaking up in that way can feel a little aggressive—and, your team members might even be a little taken aback by the fact that you’re suddenly standing up for yourself.
Afterwards, it’s smart to approach your boss for a brief one-on-one conversation. During that chat, you can explain that you hope you didn’t come off as too forward, but that you want to make sure that you’re heard and able to make a valuable contribution to your team.
You can also ask your boss something like, “Is there something else I should be doing to ensure that my voice is heard in these meetings?”
Not only does this soften the blow by placing at least a little of the responsibility back on your shoulders, but it can also open your eyes to any team norms you might not be aware of.
For example, if you’re new to the company, perhaps you’re not in the loop on the fact that they have a brainstorming session at the end when you could chime in—because they prefer to not have other people jumping in while others are talking.
You don’t always want to assume malicious intent when you feel you aren’t being heard. So, make sure you have these important conversations and cover your bases before you jump to conclusions.
