How can you speak your truth when you have a toxic colleague? Or a history of your voice being minimised?

Here are 4 steps to move you into your powerful voice.

Your Posture

Your physical presence and energetic holding of your state convey 90% of whether somebody will listen to you. If you feel that you will not be heard, and your posture becomes small, you will be ignored. If you feel that you must be righteous and impose your truth, you will be ignored. The key is an expansion and open posture - in fascial fitness this is the expansion principle that creates tensegrity. 

Practice shapes that bring you into this expansive state - star jumps, handstands, Y arms of Yes! Make sure the body is soft as it expands - remove the force and try hard effortfulness of this power pose. 

Keep this posture as you enter and continue the conversation - be conscious of being grounded, open and expansive in your presence.  

Check out The Embody Life Sanctuary for this month's movement practice to support power poses. 

Appreciation of the Other

Nobody listens when they feel unappreciated. We each disconnect when we feel undervalued and then we stop listening to what others say to us. 

Open statements and difficult conversations with what you appreciate about the other person. When they begin to challenge you, offer appreciation again. 

Ensure that this appreciation includes THEIR motivation. Not everyone sees or wants their fears reflected back at them which means that you must be mindful of 'motivation' rather than 'needs, wants or fears' language.

Connect with Common Ground

From appreciation and acknowledgement of motivation, it is possible to relate with a common ground of your own. This builds the bridge of connection with one another and shared common humanity. 

This is a 'positioning phase' or being charming position to the other person will open them to hearing your words and more likely see a new perspective, then your suggestion is the perfect position for them to step into. 

For some, story can be a way to connect in this way, yet not everyone appreciates a story and it can sometimes undermine empathy building if not artfully done. The language that appeals to the person listening will open their ears to you, as will your continued posture of presence and authority. 

Be mindful that this is not manipulative or false, ensure your own integrity throughout all this phase or else the situation will likely backfire on you. 

Opening to the Possibilities

Ensure that you remain open to the outcome of the conversation being beyond your dreams of wonderful. If you enter these conversations with full authenticity whilst maintaining your presence, then you will discover outcomes beyond your imagination. 

Listening back to their response, and observing their posture and language can prompt insights for you to bring into the conversation that creates play and opportunity. 

Above all, release the fear of repeating old patterns. If the other person still does not respond, remember that you can choose to terminate the conversation as your truth in silence may be your power. 

If you want more win-win relationships and business in your life, then dive deeper with my 20 years and 100% success approach to negotiating relationships in business at The Spiritual Business Portal.