4 Reasons People Don't Take You Seriously
Do you ever feel invisible sometimes? Like you’re overlooked or what you have to say doesn’t matter?
If you’re grudgingly nodding your head yes, you’ll get a lot out of this article.
First of all, no matter who you are or what business you’re in, there will always be people who are just not interested in hearing you out. It doesn’t matter how great your ideas are, you can’t make someone listen to you if they’re not interested.
Take heart, because more often than not, their disinterest is a reflection on them and their circumstances. It’s not a reflection on you.
With that said, let's take a look at how you communicate.
Because making small tweaks in the way you communicate can make a world of difference in making sure you are taken seriously.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Not even close.
But its enough to give your communication skills some traction the next time you need to be heard.
Number 1. Cut the jargon.
Why?
Because it complicates and muddles your message.
Case in point: “Individuals knowingly recognize it when you are endeavoring in an excessively vigorous way, by utilizing complex gobbledygook, to impress upon them that you are brilliant and/or urbane.”
Bottom line: People know when you’re trying too hard to sound smart.
You want to aim for sounding like a relatable human being, and not like an industry robot. So when it doubt, use simple words – think 5th grade level communication - and get right to the point.
Number 2. Lose the weak disclaimers.
You know what I’m talking about.
“This might sound silly, but…”
or
“This might be dumb, but…”
or
“I was just…”
Basically, we use weak disclaimers for one of three reasons:
- When we’re unsure of what we’re going to say.
- When we feel that what we’re about to say might be way off base.
- When we think the other person won’t like what we’re gong to say.
We add these disclaimers because we believe that if we call it silly or dumb before anyone else does, then maybe the rejection will hurt less.
But the truth is, using weak disclaimers undercuts your power and bruises your confidence.
So don’t do it anymore.
If you want a seat at the table, try using something neutral like,
“What about this idea?”
or
“I’d like to run something by you.”
or
“Hear me out.”
or
“Are you open to a suggestion about this?”
What this does is it positions you as having confidence, and it gets the other person intrigued in hearing your ideas!
Number 3. Lose that low status body language.
What does your posture look like? Is it nice and straight or are your shoulders slumped forward along with your head?
Studies have shown that when people adjusted their posture to stand straight and tall with their shoulders back and heads held high, they had a much higher success rate at getting hired and closing the sale.
Studies have further shown that when people used high status body language, such as strong posture with an open expanse across their chests, they felt more confident when going into make-or-break situations.
So your mother was right all along. Don't slump and stand up straight!
Number 4. Follow up.
When you make a suggestion in a meeting, take the initiative and follow up with it.
Send them an email saying that you’re following up on the proposal that you suggested, and that you’re attaching it in the email. Let them know you’ll be happy to walk them through it.
We’re all busy. Me, too! So I always appreciate when I can count on someone to move the ball forward.
There you have it. You now have four ways to be taken more seriously.
The point of all this is to remind you that your ideas matter. Your voice deserves to be heard.
While it’s true that some people aren’t going to listen to you regardless of what you have to say, it’s vital that you take responsibility for what you can control.
This includes doing everything in your power to communicate powerfully and effectively to those you most wish to serve.
Thank you for reading and PLEASE SHARE THIS. If someone in your life struggles with being taken seriously, please send them this email. It might be the spark of insight they need to move a project powerfully ahead!
Polly
P.S. I deliver high-energy, strategy-driven presentations. If you're company, organization or department are searching for a presenter for your upcoming event, I'd love to connect!
