Connson Locke, a seasoned educator and consultant from the London School of Economics, dives into the art of speaking up. She shares research-backed strategies for managing negative emotions and fostering a growth mindset. Locke emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice and reframing power dynamics in conversations. Personal stories illustrate her journey to confident self-expression, including navigating wedding planning. Finally, she discusses the balance between pleasure and purpose in our free time, urging listeners to engage in purposeful activities for personal growth.
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The Wedding Spreadsheet
Connson Locke hesitated to interrupt her husband's movie to discuss wedding plans, assuming he wouldn't want to be disturbed.
He later revealed he'd already seen the movie, highlighting how she'd stifled her own voice.
insights INSIGHT
Cultural Influence and Personal Growth
Connson Locke's upbringing in a traditional Chinese household, where children were expected to be seen and not heard, shaped her initial reticence.
Overcoming various challenges and painful experiences helped her realize her voice deserved to be heard.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Managing Negative Emotions
Manage negative emotions like fear or anger, as they signal something needing attention.
View negative emotions as a message to understand, rather than letting them control you.
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Making Your Voice Heard offers a fresh perspective on how to successfully influence others, drawing on the latest research in social psychology. The book provides practical advice on overcoming communication barriers, sidestepping unconscious bias, and enhancing personal presence and influence. It includes tips on making strong first impressions and being seen as a leader, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their communication skills.
The Prophet
Kahlil Gibran
Written by Kahlil Gibran, 'The Prophet' is a book of prose poetry that explores themes such as love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, and more. The story follows the prophet Almustafa, who, before departing from the city of Orphalese, shares his wisdom with the people on a range of subjects. The book emphasizes the importance of freedom, self-knowledge, and the interconnectedness of all life. It has been widely acclaimed for its profound insights and has been translated into over 100 languages, making it one of the most translated books in history.
Connson Locke: Making Your Voice Heard
Connson Locke is Professor (Education) of Management at the London School of Economics, where she teaches Leadership, Organizational Behaviour, and Negotiation and Decision Making. She has over 30 years experience as an educator, coach, and consultant working all around the world.
Her highly popular Guardian Masterclass Developing Your Presence, Power and Influence regularly sells out. Connson is the recipient of a number of teaching awards from the London School of Economics. She's also the author of Making Your Voice Heard: How to Own Your Space, Access Your Inner Power, and Become Influential*.
In this conversation, Connson and I explore the challenging situation that many professionals experience: speaking up. We discuss several key tactics that she has surfaced in her research to do this more effectively. Plus, we highlight several of the lessons Connson has discovered in her own experience that will help us (and others) do this with more success.
Key Points
Managing your negative emotions can help create movement for you. Reflecting or journaling is a key starting point.
Change your attitude about failure by framing a growth mindset.
Move away from repetition and towards deliberate practice.
Instead of focusing on power difference, zero in on the other person’s role in helping you achieve a greater good.
Plan free time around learning a new skill or helping others instead of watching Netflix or sitting on the beach.
Resources Mentioned
Making Your Voice Heard: How to Own Your Space, Access Your Inner Power, and Become Influential* by Connson Locke
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
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