Nearly twenty-five years ago, I found myself sitting in a conference room that I probably had no business being in. At least that is what I thought at the time.
I was a young manager working for a very large company. I had only been there a short time and was attending one of my first executive meetings. Around the table sat the President of the Region and several officers of the company. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. I was trying very hard to look intelligent while simultaneously hoping nobody would ask me any questions. I had perfected the art of nodding thoughtfully while secretly wondering if anyone else noticed I was taking notes on things I did not fully understand yet.
Then it happened.
The President introduced an idea and several people around the room shared their thoughts. The discussion went back and forth and eventually he looked around the room. Then he looked directly at me. “Ernie, what do you think?”
Now, if you have ever been caught off guard in a meeting, you know exactly what happened next. My brain immediately began searching for the nearest emergency exit. Not wanting to disappoint anyone, and not wanting to appear uninformed, I gave what I thought was the safest answer possible. “Well, sir, it appears everything is in order. I do not really have anything else to add or have any objections. I think we should move forward.”
He nodded and the meeting ended. I breathed a sigh of relief. I had survived, or so I thought. A few minutes later he stopped by my office and asked if I had a moment. As he sat down, he smiled and said something that would become one of the most important lessons of my entire career.
He started with, “Ernie, I could tell there was something on your mind.” I immediately knew where this conversation was headed. He continued. “When I ask for your opinion, I want your opinion. I hired you because you are an expert in your field. I trust your judgment. That is why you are here.” Then he leaned back in his chair and said something I have never forgotten. “If we agree on everything, one of us is unnecessary.”
Then he paused and just let that sink in. I remember sitting there realizing he was absolutely right. I had confused agreement with contribution. I thought my job was to support the leader. What he was teaching me was that my job was to help the leader make better decisions.
I apologized and told him I would do better. He smiled and said, “Yes, I know you will. You have a great future ahead of you.”
Over the years, he became not only a respected colleague and mentor but eventually a friend. Even after he retired, we stayed in touch. And all these years later, I still remember that lesson. If we agree on everything, one of us is unnecessary.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
One of the biggest mistakes online business owners make is staying silent when they should speak up.
Sometimes we see a problem coming but convince ourselves not to mention it. Sometimes a customer asks for advice and we hesitate because we do not want to offend them. Sometimes we notice an opportunity, an improvement, or a better way of doing something but keep it to ourselves because we assume someone else knows better.
The reality is that people often come to us because they value our perspective. They are not looking for another person who simply agrees with everything they say. They are looking for insight, they are looking for experience and they are looking for guidance.
That does not mean being argumentative, rude or believing we are always right. It means respectfully sharing what we know when it can help someone else make a better decision.
In business, some of the most valuable conversations happen when someone politely says, “Have you considered this?”
Those four words have saved companies, improved products, strengthened relationships, and prevented countless mistakes.
Five Reasons It Is Important To Speak Up And Challenge Appropriately
- Your perspective has value. You may see something that others do not. Different experiences often create different insights.
- Respectful disagreement improves decisions. The best decisions are often tested by healthy discussion before they are implemented.
- Your customers expect your expertise. People do not hire experts to simply agree with them. They hire experts to help them see what they might be missing.
- Silence can create bigger problems later. A difficult conversation today is often easier than fixing a costly mistake tomorrow.
- Confidence grows when you use your voice. Every time you respectfully share your thoughts, you strengthen your ability to lead and serve others.
The goal is never to win an argument. The goal is to help create a better outcome. That requires humility, courage and respect. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can bring to a conversation is not agreement. It is perspective.
People may not always follow your advice and that is okay. Your responsibility is not always to control the outcome. Your responsibility is to contribute honestly, thoughtfully, and professionally.
You never know when a simple observation may save someone time, money, frustration, or regret. And you never know when your willingness to speak up may be exactly what someone needs to hear.
One of the things I appreciate most about the Internet Profits Academy is that it encourages discussion, questions, and different perspectives. Nobody has all the answers. The real value comes from learning together, sharing ideas, and helping one another see opportunities we might otherwise miss. If you are building an online business and looking for a community where questions are welcomed and ideas are shared, I encourage you to take a closer look. Sometimes one conversation can completely change the direction of your business. I especially appreciate that you can now get started for FREE. That gives you the chance to kick the tires, look around, and see if it’s something that can help you.
After all, if we all agreed on everything, one of us might be unnecessary. As for me, I still try to remember that lesson whenever someone asks for my opinion.
Have you ever respectfully disagreed with someone and later realized it was exactly the right thing to do? I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below and tell us about a time when speaking up made a difference.
Although my wife occasionally reminds me that there is a difference between offering an opinion and giving in on absolutely everything. The other day she looked at me and said, “Ernie, if I want your opinion on how to load the dishwasher, I’ll ask for it.” Apparently, some leadership lessons have limits.
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill
“The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someone asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.” – Henry David Thoreau
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
I always trust my gut. That’s why most of my decisions happen near the refrigerator.
My wife asked for my opinion. I should have realized that was a trick question.
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
**If you are curious about building and maintaining a healthy online business, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter here and continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I have long desired, but also to share what I am learning with others who are working toward the same dream.