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STATING THE OBVIOUS
Most of us are used to limiting what we say in writing, and even sometimes what we think, for fear of ridicule or criticism. None of us like having to deal with criticism and online it can be even more unrestrained. If you are going to have influence in our increasingly online world in the future, you need to build the courage to have a go and say what you think – even when there is the possibility that people will laugh at you and attack your ideas.
One of the scariest things about starting to say what you think in writing is the prospect of people disagreeing with you. Will they laugh? Will they think that what you are saying is trite and obvious? When I first started writing my own blog I did so anonymously. I called it “The Obvious?” because it was me overcoming my reticence about stating the obvious. The question mark is not a mistake. It is me shrugging my shoulders and suggesting a doubt in my mind rather than making a bold assertive statement.
We all learn to filter what we say from an early age in school. “What will earn the approval or disapproval of the schoolteacher?” “What will make my mates laugh at me?” This fear is even more true in the workplace. “What if my boss disapproves of my views or thinks I am talking nonsense?” “What if my peers snigger behind my back the next time they see me in the canteen?” These are not trivial concerns to overcome. We have largely learned that it is safer to keep our heads down at work. Not to rock the boat. ...
