How to Speak Up, with Connson Locke

Connson Locke: Making Your Voice Heard

Connson Locke is Professorial Lecturer in 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.