UPFRONT: Chapter 2

Being visible

The idea of making myself more visible feels uncomfortable but the truth is I need to do ME to progress and get new opportunities. Why does it feel uncomfortable? Because I worry that I’ll come across “Braggy” or a showoff, or even worse I’ll compare myself to someone else. There is a misconception that hard work is enough but as UPFRONT explains in this module, it is not enough. You need to be visible and talk about the work you do. This is what I want to unlearn about visibility. I know that if I can conquer being more visible, I will increase my network, improve my reputation and increase the opportunities that come my way.

Have you ever had someone compliment you or your work and just felt AWKWARD and responded with a comment that belittles what achievement you’re being rewarded for. Well I do this so often. I did it the other day when a colleague complimented me on some previous research work. My response was silence because I always feel uncomfortable when some compliments me. Instead I need to accept my credit where its due and just say “Thank you”.

I had previously started writing week notes, reflecting and talking about my day job as a UX Design Consultant, but I’ve struggled to maintain a routine with this. However, true to what I’m writing in this post, telling myself I am committed to become more visible. I will pick this activity back up and build a habit to make time to talk about my work. This leads perfectly in the next module in this chapter…..

Building a writing habit

I’ve always thought of myself as not a particularly good writer. English wasn’t one of my favourite subjects, but I do surprisingly enjoy using Medium to write and reflect on things (When I make the time for it). Writing helps me structure my thoughts and ideas, helping me think more clearly. But more importantly, as UPFRONT encourages in this module, writing is a tool that will help me make myself more visible. Over the next 3 days, I am going to write.

Speaking up

I need to be more comfortable speaking up in front of large groups. It’s something that I dread in environments where I’m with a group of people I don’t really know, nervous that I will say something stupid. My heart starts to beat faster, my hands get sweaty and my speech gets faster. But I know it’s holding me back. It holds me back from contributing and sharing my work internally within my profession. To conquer this, UPFRONT provides 3 tips on how to get started:

1. Decide what you want to say — the best talks come from honesty, experience and passion
2. Say it — start saying what you want to say out loud
3. Understand you will never feel ready- stop waiting, just get started

Citing diversely

Citing others is a way you can build confidence in that person, and letting them know that their voice matters. UPFRONT encourages us to have a diverse set of essential readings and articles because it expands your knowledge and builds confidence in others.

Building confidence culture at work

“Building confidence at work is not an individual journey; it’s about reshaping the culture around us”

Lauren Currie, Upfront.

How we can support others in the work place:

1. Stop interrupting
2. Advocate for others

Each little contribution adds to my bank of confidence. If I’m struggling then I need to watch confident speakers I admire or work with and imitate them. If I’m too nervous to give my own opinion then contribute by asking questions because it will show that I’m engaged and care about what is being discussed. If I’m worried my mind might go blank during a meeting due to nerves, then spend sometime preparing questions prior. Remember to avoid unnecessary apologies or saying “just” or “might be a silly question” to not weaken what I’m saying. Instead start proudly and strongly with “I”.

Speaking up for others, can also make you feel more confident speaking up for yourself.

Ways to foster psychological safety in meetings at work:

• Check-in with attendees of the meeting — go round and simply say what they are bringing with them today. It provides structure to the meeting and allows everyone to contribute
• Humanising — sharing info about your state of mind or personal life helps others emphasise
• Role modelling and curiosity — fear of making a mistake is one of the biggest barriers to participating. A way to combat this fear is to demonstrate vulnerability and share failings.
• Speak last will encourage others to speak first

Being a good audience

When someone is speaking or presenting, make sure you show them you are engaged. Don’t interrupt them, don’t make noise that might distract them or others around you, and don’t use your phone. Instead, maintain eye contact with the speaker and smile, so that they know they deserve to be there, that they are good enough and that they have your full attention. As UPFRONT details in this module, being a good audience is important in contributing to that speakers confidence and sense of belonging.

Being an audience member where you and the rest of the audience are engaged, listening and encouraging the speaker has the potential to have a ripple on effect to you and others in the audience. It can give you the encouragement and desire to put yourself on stage and talk or present something, knowing that others are interested and believe in you.

Confidence and Privilege

Privilege doesn’t mean that you’ve not had a hard life. You can be white and experience problems in life, but those problems will not be because of the colour of your white skin. Privilege means that your skin tone, socioeconomic background, gender and sexuality are not the things making your life harder. Having privilege means you may be the dominant representation in the media.

Intersectional feminism is a concept based on Intersectionality, a term coined by civil rights activist, Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989. It takes into account the various different ways women experience discrimination. We should care about issues that don’t directly effect or have a lesser effect on us. UPFRONT encourages us to identify and acknowledge our privilege, so that we can use it to remove inequality. Thinking about my privileges. I am aware that I am privileged. I’m an English, white, heterosexual, able-bodied women, from a middle class family. I need to reflect on how I can use these privileges to make a positive change and how I can make change, even just a small change in removing inequalities.

My key takeaways from this chapter are…

• Get comfortable receiving credit and acknowledgment, remember to say “Thank you”
• Maintain a habit with writing about my work, experience and achievements — share my weekly wins
• Diversify what people, books or articles I cite
• Support others in their confidence journey by not interrupting them and being their advocate — when others speak; listen and engage, make eye contact and make them feel good enough
• Be aware of my privileges and use those privileges to make a positive change