Where’s your line in the sand? What do you stand for?
One of the big picture concepts I speak about in my effective communication workshop is the importance of knowing the answer to these questions.
It’s hard to know when to stand up, if you don’t know what you stand for.
The answer is different for everyone. Everyone has their own values and beliefs and what is true for you may be very different to what is true for me.
But being clear on your personal deal breakers is important. It helps you know when to be assertive and when to let something go through to the keeper.
I’m very clear on what I stand for – I always have been.
I won’t stand for injustice, prejudice, racism, discrimination or inequality.
I won’t. And I don’t. When I see it, I call it out. I have courage in my convictions.
For some people, that makes me too much. Too opinionated. Too passionate. Too invested.
That’s ok. That’s their opinion. I appreciate not everyone shares my views.
But it doesn’t change who I am. I’d rather stand for something than stand for nothing.
Is it always easy?
No.
Is it always comfortable?
No.
Is it always worth it?
Yes.
I’m clear on my values and I live in alignment with them. Doing so makes it much easier to choose happiness, even in the face of challenges.
I’m not conflicted. I live my life authentically. I’m true to myself and what I believe in.
I know where my line in the sand is and I will stand up when someone crosses it.
It’s not about confidence, it’s about courage.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jnr: “Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about the things that matter.”
Stand for something.
Leah Mether is a communications specialist, trainer, speaker, and Director of Methmac Communications.
Leah’s workshop ‘Effective Communication: Developing Assertiveness for Personal and Career Success’ is running in towns across Gippsland this Spring:
Warragul – Monday 2 October, 6:15pm-9:15pm, www.effectivewarragul.eventbrite.com.au
Sale – Wednesday 11 October, 9:30am-2:30pm, www.effectivecommssale.eventbrite.com.au
Inverloch – Tuesday 24 October, 9:30am-2:30pm, www.effectivecommsinverloch.eventbrite.com.au
Leah Mether is a communication and soft skills trainer obsessed with making the people part of leadership and work life easier.
With more than 15 years’ experience working with thousands of clients, and an acclaimed book to her name, Leah knows what it takes to communicate under pressure. Like you, she knows the challenge of conflict, personality clashes, and difficult conversations.
Leah is renowned for her practical, engaging, straight-shooting style. Utilising her Five Cs® model of communication, she helps leaders and teams shift from knowing to doing, and radically improve their effectiveness.
