1851

Listen to what is being said and improve what is missing. That, my friends, is your true opportunity &ndash; especially if you want to be listened to, looked at as a thought leader and have a voice in any conversation.

The gap between good and great is oftentimes quite small. It&rsquo;s often in voice &ndash; not just speaking to speak, but speaking with conviction, with voice and value &ndash; saying something that impacts the conversation.

In business, it is my opinion that leaders should seek out the voices from within their companies. Find those who are willing to have opinions backed by facts. Businesses have a ton of intel within their four walls. Leaders should fight to open up those conversations to then find growth ideas and solutions.

The next time you sit in a meeting, ask yourself whether you are making the meeting better by being in it. Did you think about the meeting before you stepped into it? Did you play through thoughts in your head? Are you equipped to say something that moves the needle forward?

But, it&rsquo;s not just about the voice. It is also about listening.

Listening is a vital part of making conversations smarter because you are in them. Listening to what is being said, calculating a response and creating dialog helps many teams create solutions to problems.

Do you find yourself interrupting? Do you find yourself finding the argument before finding the solution? Do you pause yourself? Do you try to read body language when listening?

I certainly seek out the listeners and the conservationists within my organization. I value those who have opinions backed by solutions &ndash; those who don&rsquo;t simply say yes. Those who listen to the sacred cows and build solutions to make them more sacred. I seek out those who watch body language, who can pick-up on emotional tells of their teams and those who have voices that back the vision.

You may not sprint to the top by offering a voice within a meeting, but you will certainly get noticed. If the company you work for appreciates the voice, it will help you accomplish your career goals and move up.

Nick Powills: Make Conversations Smarter Because You Are In Them

1851 Franchise

The next time you sit in a meeting, ask yourself whether you are equipped  to say something that moves the needle forward?

nick-powills-make-conversations-smarter-because-you-are-in-them

CapitalSpring

What Makes a Successful Franchise Investment Partner: Understanding What To Look For  

What Makes a Successful Franchise Investment Partner: Understanding What To Look For Beyond the Check

franchise-investment-partner-capitalspring

Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

Fueled by Freedom: How This Veteran Franchisee Is Expanding Wild Bill’s Across New England

wild-bills-veteran-franchisee-expansion-new-england

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot table with chocolate fondue and "Cheers to 50 Years" plate

Melting Pot Evolution Sets the Stage for the Next 50 Years

evolution-design

DRYmedic Restoration

image of drymedic restoration franchise brand

Why DRYmedic Restoration Is the Franchise Built for the Climate Era — And Why Now Is the Time to Join

drymedic-restoration-franchise-opportunity

From Startups to Franchises: How a Serial Entrepreneur Masters Scalable Growth

carlos-hesano-serial-entrepreneur-dry-medic-franchise-growth

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

do-you-qualify-a-look-at-the-chick-fil-a-franchise-requirements

The Top 15 Pet Wellness and Vet Care Franchises for 2025

top-pet-wellness-franchise-opportunities

The 15 Top Pet Grooming Franchises To Consider for 2025

the-15-top-pet-grooming-franchises-to-consider

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

Nick Powills: Make Conversations Smarter Because You Are In Them

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS