You might be startled by the title of this article. After all, who doesn’t want to leave a good impression at workplace on his/her coworkers, clients and communities?
To be clear, I’m not saying we should give out BAD impression. However, I am advocating that we should aim to give a STRONG impression rather than a GOOD impression, if we want to achieve bigger things in an increasingly globalized business community.
Let me explain what I mean.
Decision-making has proven to be one of the most important business skills. It requires taking a strong position amid multiple options, and taking actions on that position. Decision-making is also difficult, because it involves taking risks and sometimes against the consensus.
Fact is, most people feel uncomfortable expressing their true opinion if they are different than popular opinion, fearing they might be wrong or offend others in the process.
When it comes to key decision-making moments or major direction-setting discussions, voicing our opinion and belief is a critical global leadership and communication skills. Of course, voicing them in a disrespectful manner or without thoughtful reasons will lead us nowhere. That is why here at Veritas, we emphasize “persuasion through logical thinking.”
The key ingredients are: taking a strong position; expressing your original opinions; supporting them with clear reasons; understanding there’s no one correct answer to the question.
In today’s global workplace, it’s better to have an unpopular opinion and be remembered, than to have no opinion and be liked but forgotten. Leave a strong impression. Make a statement.
Veritas Coach
Phil Chien
Phil was born and raised in Taiwan until 15, then educated and trained in the US for the next twelve years, where he began building a passion for languages and helping people achieve their potentials: as a sports business consultant assisting athletes and corporations, and as an editor and translator helping authors curate ideas into forms, before moving back to Asia.
Regardless of assignment or industry, he always tries to adhere to the motto: “Are those who I serve better off because of me, and the information, service or product I provide?”
Now in Japan with his wife and two kids, and together with the team at Veritas, Phil hopes to grow as a coach and as a business mind, while helping to inspire clients on their journey to self-development and global leadership.
