Cowgirl Power: Voicing Your Point of View and Saying "No"

Having a strong point of view demonstrates your competence that you have thought things through amp160I know a lot of women who are not comfortable around conflict amp160They just donamp8217t like it But properly managed conflict is invaluable and something most women need to be more comfortable with because it forces you articulate your personal values and beliefsI watch my three Border collies at a ranch I have in the Texas Hill Country amp160Several times a day they tie into one another amp160It is a very aggressive form of play and usually stops short of drawing blood amp160They grab each other around the neck knock each other down growl and snarl at each other amp160It is the most natural thing in the world because they are practicing their aggressive skills for a time when they need to make a kill or defend themselves amp160It keeps their skills honed amp160And strangely enough it is most likely to happen when we are on a conference call at the ranch because they are spoiled and want our full attentionPeople need the same exercise maybe with less teeth amp160I admire people with strong points of view amp160I do not have to agree with them but I respect someone who has done the mental gymnastics to form a strong opinion and that usually means debating the pros and cons of issuesToo often women shy away from debates and it is a mistake amp160Force yourself to verbally argue out an issue amp160It is the only way to form strong opinions amp160If you cannot take a challenge you probably have not thought through an issue or done your homework amp160I learned a lot about points of view because back in my high school debate classes I had to argue from one point of view and then turn right around and argue from the opposite perspective amp160Debate and then you will be ready to have a strong point of view that people will want to hearThe Roman Catholic Church understood this when they appointed a amp8220devilamp8217s advocateamp8221 to present arguments against a proposed beatification or canonization amp160They were worried that they had too many yesmen making important decisionsFind someone to argue with amp160Be challenged amp160Be okay being uncomfortable amp160It is an amazing confidence builder that gives you assertiveness to apply to other situations amp160Having the muscle memory to express your views makes it easier in situations when you need to say amp8220noamp8221This hit home for me when I heard Ann Moore former Chairman and CEO of Time Inc give a speech using this Nelson Mandela quote amp8220amp8216Noamp8217 is a complete sentenceamp8221 amp160Iamp8217ve carried that with me for yearsamp8220Noamp8221 empowers you amp160amp8220Noamp8221 allows you to laser focus in on what is important amp160amp8220Noamp8221 simplifies your life amp160We apply it across our business and it is a powerful expression of a culture that values our people above all elseA quick story amp160In 2000 Austin was full of internet startups rich with venture money amp160They clamored to our office all claiming to have a 12 million budget and demanding that we get their ads placed in the Super Bowl even though it had been sold out for months amp160We had so many coming and going that we could not get any real work done amp160We told all but one of them amp8220noamp8221 And the one we did take was a mistake amp160But my CFO and I got tougher than nickel steaks and we collected every dime they owed us amp160It took months but we prevailed with persistenceSmall clients without vision and adequate budgets soon make you feel like you are being nibbled to death by ducks amp160We say no to nine out of ten client inquiries we get amp160We have developed a 10point new business filter that has been in place for years amp160We go through the checklist every time a new opportunity presents itself amp160The first question we ask ourselves is whether we would want to work for the company amp160A amp8220noamp8221 immediately ends the conversationamp8220Noamp8221 applies to requests made to individuals as well amp160It may be a new project added on top of a full plate or assistance on an emergency effort that diverts you from planned work amp160This can be difficult for women who want to help out even though they may be drowning with equally important commitments amp160Often the best answer is amp8220noamp8221 amp160Donamp8217t give long reasons and excuses amp160It weakens your power amp160Just say amp8220noamp8221When life gets complicated stop and prioritize what the most important things are that you do Look at the bottom third of the list and see what you can cut and where you can say amp8220noamp8221 amp160It is so easy to get overcommitted amp160It pulls you away from where you need to focusSpeak your mind your perspective is invaluable amp160Get in there and debate your comfort level and confidence will grow amp160Remember amp8220noamp8221 is a complete sentence your ability to focus on the right things empowers you to do amazing thingsClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writersamp160amp160

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Cowgirl Power: Voicing Your Point of View and Saying "No"

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Gay Gaddis

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Cowgirl Power: Voicing Your Point of View and Saying "No"

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