I went into a Fortune 50 company as a fresh graduate. I emerged 5 years later as a leader. This is what I learned during my time at P&G.
Ok so I need to choose what I share, because 5 years of experience can’t really be distilled into a single post without sounding like a meme.
Here are 5 things that I learned about speaking as a leader, since you know, that’s kind of my jam:
đ. đ§đŽđ¸đ˛ đźđđťđ˛đżđđľđśđ˝ đŽđťđą đŽđ°đ°đźđđťđđŽđŻđśđšđśđđ đđľđżđźđđ´đľ đđźđđż đđźđżđąđ.
You own the project. So speak like it. Your words need to clarify team member’s roles, address issues before they become issues and check for comprehension.
đŽ. đđšđđŽđđ đđđ˛ đđľđ˛ đĄđ˛đ đŹđźđżđ¸ đ§đśđşđ˛đ đšđśđđşđđ đđ˛đđ.
If what you say would be printed tomorrow as a headline in the New York Times, would you be able to stand by it? If not, don’t say it.
đŻ. đđ˛ đŻđżđŽđđ˛ đŽđŻđźđđ đđľđŽđżđśđťđ´ đđźđđż đ˝đźđśđťđ đźđł đđśđ˛đ. đđťđą đľđŽđđ˛ đąđŽđđŽ đđź đŻđŽđ°đ¸ đśđ đđ˝.
Young employees have more new ideas than clean socks. But when you share an idea, have the data to back up why it’s a good one.
đ°. đđ˛đŽđżđťđśđťđ´ đđź đ˝đżđ˛đđ˛đťđ đđźđđż đđźđżđ¸ đśđ đťđźđ đźđ˝đđśđźđťđŽđš.
My boss got me presenting on my second day. A few years later, I became the youngest employee to present to the second most powerful woman in the company. I had to learn how to present at any level, inside and outside the company, without hesitation.
đą. đđ˛ đ´đ˛đťđ˛đżđźđđ đđśđđľ đ°đżđ˛đąđśđ.
Your team looks good, you look great. The best leaders showcased and highlighted their team’s work early and frequently.
đĽ What would you add to the list on how to speak as a leader? I’d love to know.
