Buzz
Avoiding conflict is often the default choice, but certain issues require direct confrontation to resolve. Rather than dwelling on the potential negative outcomes of speaking out, consider the consequences of staying quiet.
Feeling anxious about confrontation is natural. You may want to address an issue without upsetting anyone or causing more problems than necessary. However, keeping everything to yourself isn’t ideal, and allowing fear to prevent you from speaking up often means sacrificing what you want. Travis Bradberry at Inc. recommends identifying the risks of not speaking out:
To motivate yourself to engage in difficult conversations, it's essential to evaluate the cost of silence. People who consistently speak up aren't necessarily more courageous; they are simply more informed. First, they assess the potential outcomes of failing to speak up. Then, they consider the potential benefits of speaking up and achieving a positive result.
While it’s important to consider the risks of a negative outcome, focus on the potential rewards first. The positives might outweigh the negatives, or what seemed like a big issue might not matter as much. Some things are best left unsaid, but don't let your fear stop you from being heard.
Image courtesy of Aislinn Ritchie.
