After years of experience in marketing and human resources, Mita Mallick is anything but timid.
Currently a workplace strategist andbestselling author, Mallick is frequently asked to give speeches at business workshops, podcasts, and gatherings.
Nevertheless, people who are familiar with her now would be “shocked” to discover that she was once too timid to speak up in meetings, she mentions.
In the early stages of her professional journey, Mallick had difficulty expressing herself in the workplace. A portion of her hesitation was attributed to a lack of self-assurance, which she links to having been bullied during her childhood.
“I brought some of that trauma into the workplace, which made me want to remain unnoticed due to my fear of becoming a target,” she states.
For Mallick, who had always envisioned herself as a leader in her professional life, learning to express her opinions was essential to her career advancement.
A few unfiltered comments from a previous manager were all the motivation she needed to overcome her shyness.
A “wallflower” at work
A short time later, Mallick describes as “burned into her memory,” her manager at a Fortune 500 company summoned her to his office following a performance evaluation meeting.
As per Mallick, he had some “quite severe” comments to offer. Due to her quiet nature, “no one is aware of what you accomplish here,” he mentioned to her.
You’re like a wallflower,” he went on. “You don’t voice your thoughts. The lights are on, but I’m not sure if anyone is actually there.
Additionally, Mallick’s manager did not believe that she possessed “potential” to develop into a leadership position within the organization.
“I was heartbroken,” she remembers. She quit her job, returned home, and consumed a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
After allowing herself to “mope” for the remainder of the day, Mallick promised to enhance her ability to communicate effectively.
“He didn’t deliver it with much warmth, but it was criticism I had to listen to,” she states.
I dislike how he handled it, but I’m grateful for the outcome
Today, Mallick doesn’t even break a sweat when delivering a keynote address, she mentions. However, becoming confident in speaking up required years of effort.
I didn’t come into the world with a talent for conversation,” she states. “I trained as if it were a competitive activity.
Prior to each presentation, Mallick practices her speech while she is in the car or taking a shower. A useful technique she suggests is informing a colleague ahead of time that you plan to speak during a meeting as a way to hold yourself accountable.
“I consistently mention that I don’t aim to be the most vocal person in the room, but I will make a difference,” she states.
Although it was definitely difficult, getting that feedback from her manager was a pivotal moment in her professional life.
“I dislike how he handled it, but I appreciate it,” she states.
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