Last week, I stumbled upon a gem of wisdom from LinkedIn influencer and power leader Beth Christian, and it struck a chord with me.
Beth who is a Fear Eraser, Change Embracer and Rebel Leader shared a simple yet profoundly effective practice: keeping a Post-it on her laptop with the word “WAIT“ written on it.
WAIT stands for:
Why
Am
I
Talking?
It serves as a reminder to pause and reflect before speaking.
Beth recommends asking yourself the following questions:
- Am I speaking to add value?
- Am I speaking to fill silence?
- Am I speaking to support another human?
- Am I speaking for my ego or to sound important? (You know who you are 😉 )
This simple yet brilliant practice has the potential to transform your interactions and elevate your executive presence.
The WAIT Moment:
Imagine you’re in a crucial meeting discussing a new project proposal (this was last week for me).
Tensions are high, ideas are swirling, and everyone is eager to make their mark. In the midst of this whirlwind, you feel the urge to jump in with your ideas, to assert your expertise and position early on.
But then, you remember Beth’s advice or you have a note on your laptop with the word “WAIT” boldly written on it.
You take a moment to pause and ask yourself, “Why Am I Talking?”
Embracing WAIT:
In that moment of reflection, you realize something profound.
The “contribution” you are about to share, does not add any immediate value to the discussion.
So you WAIT.
(Because there will be a critical juncture where you will have to contribute.)
Seizing the Opportunity:
As the discussion unfolds, a point arises where your expertise is needed. You seize the opportunity to share your insights, offering a fresh perspective BAM! that ignites further discussion and innovation.
The Impact:
By embracing WAIT, you positioned yourself as a thoughtful and collaborative leader.
Your strategic silence, coupled with impactful contributions at the right time, reaffirms your commitment to collective success.
The WAIT principle does not involve remaining silent or diminishing one’s voice; it involves using one’s words with purpose and impact.
So, the next time you find yourself in a high-stakes meeting, remember to WAIT.
Thank you Beth Christian!
Pause, reflect, and ask yourself: Why Am I Talking? The answers may surprise you, and the results will undoubtedly speak volumes.
With love,
Mari Carmen
