Being a Better Employee Series: Have an Opinion
Nov 13th, 2008 by Carlos
This is the second post in a series about how we can all become better, more productive employees at our jobs. Part One was all about showing up to work early and the whole series is meant to focus on ways of making your job more secure amidst a tough economy.
If you would be a man, speak today what you think today in terms as hard as cannon-balls, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradicts everything you said today. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
That’s one of my all-time favorite quotes and I think people in the workplace would be wise to give it a close read. I’m not talking about being loud and obnoxious for the sake of “having a strong opinion,” that will just make you come across like someone simply out to grab attention—that’s the last thing you want to do at work. What I’m talking about is bringing a unique perspective to the table.
I believe that your opinion (on whatever it maybe be) is one of the most valuable “skills” you bring to the table because it shows off how you think, how you communicate, and how much thought you put into things. Have you ever been in a meeting where someone asks “What do you think?” and the answer is a hem and a haw and no meat? Or even worse, something to the tune of “I have no opinion”? The reason why I have such a problem with this is because it reeks of fear. Fear of giving the “wrong” opinion or answer that a boss may or may not want to hear. But if you’re not willing to stand by your opinion, even if it is different, then what’s the point of having you around? And if it isn’t fear, it could be even worse: maybe this person really has no opinion at all. How valuable is a person like that to an organization?
In my opinion (you see how easy it is?), the most valuable people in the workplace are those that have strong opinions and can communicate them in an articulate, calm manner. As in, “Look, here is what I think and here’s why.” They don’t get fiery, emotional, and out of control—they just tell you precisely what they think, their rationale for it, and then they step back. If you’re dealing with a boss, then you have to remember that, no matter how “right” you may think you are, that person is still the boss and you’re just there to give an opinion—the boss will ultimately make the decision.
Ideally, of course, your opinion has some value. You don’t want to be the kid in the classroom raising his/her hand all the time giving the wrong answer. Luckily, opinions are a different kind of beast: there is no wrong answer. As long as you’ve put some thought into it and you’re able to express yourself fairly eloquently, I think it’s important to let others know where you stand on things/projects/etc.
The other big idea that Emerson’s quote touches on is admitting when you’re wrong. If tomorrow your opinion has changed completely—i.e. you were wrong today—then have the guts to change your mind and explain why. Especially in politics, it’s almost a crime to change your mind. But no one is 100% right, so if you aren’t willing to correct your mistakes then what kind of a person/employee does that make you? A pretty reckless one, that’s what. It’s OK to change your mind—but don’t be afraid to believe just as strongly in your new opinion than you did yesterday when you were wrong. That’s why it’s an opinion: it’s not right or wrong—it’s just your point of view.
Check out the rest of the Being a Better Employee series.
[...] Check out Part Two: Having an Opinion [...]
[...] This is the third post in a series about how we can all become better, more productive employees at our jobs. The first post was about being early and the second was about having an opinion. [...]
[...] Have an Opinion [...]