Does My Voice Actually Matter?
Yes. Here's why — and what to do with it
Depending on the week you’ve had, you may be wondering whether your voice really matters at all. Definitions matter, so let’s start there:
Your voice is not just the words you say in a meeting (or your vote), your voice is how you move through the world.
When you’re 1 in an organization of 1000+, it’s easy to feel small. When you are 1 in 8 billion people on the planet, it’s easy to feel like what we do can’t influence the issues that seem far larger than any one of us.
Consider this:
Does it matter if someone holds the door for you instead of letting it slam on you as you’re going through?
Does it matter when someone genuinely asks you how you’re doing or whether it’s just a transactional widget-selling interaction?
Does it make a difference whether some acknowledges your presence in a room or on a call? Does it make a difference in your day when they don’t?
That’s why our understanding of voice matters.
If voice is just the words you say in a meeting and you’re ignored, then you might conclude your voice doesn’t matter. If voice is just our vote and the outcome doesn’t follow our vote, cynicism and futility can set in.
But if voice is how we move through the world, we reclaim both our agency and our ability to influence the world around us. Voice doesn’t mean you say everything all the time or fight every battle, but that you choose when, where, with whom, and how you show up.
As you continue to make choices in the days going forward, here are some questions to consider:
1) What are your personal values?
Many companies have stated values, some of which are upheld and others that trigger eye rolls. What are your values? What are the things you live by or live for? The things on which you are unwilling to compromise? Clarity on your own values is the first step to living them out.
2) What norms do you want to co-create?
How you show up isn’t just about fitting in or whether you’ll get the next promotion. Norms are what is accepted and rewarded in a context. What do you want to be normal? What will you let become the norm?
3) What will you do?
Intent is only as good as actions that drive impact. Will you say “that’s not funny” or “what do you mean by that?” when someone cracks a seemingly innocuous joke? Will you set and maintain boundaries that keep you healthy? What steps will you take to live out your values? If you’re exhausted or hurting, rest may be what you need to do first.
In case there was any doubt – yes, your voice matters. How you choose to move through the world matters. What you choose to put your energy toward matters. Because you make a difference in both how you and others experience the world.
Elaine