By Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk

We typically try to share handy tips or unique marketing ideas in this blog. We occasionally crawl up on a soap box and share an opinion, sometimes try to amuse you with things like stupid corporate lingo or ask others to write guest posts. But this week, I’m going to share a lesson I’ve learned in the last year, that I so wish I had known when I was in my 30s.

Last week, I was interviewed for an article entitled, “Making Money as an Industry Expert” for the national Chamber of Commerce site. This was really quite an honor, and I was thrilled to contribute. But it got me thinking about where I was just a few years ago, and how far I’ve come too.

You see, I spent two and a half years working in an environment where egos were fragile, and everyone seemed to be walking on egg shells nearly every day. Not all, but many of the partners at this firm needed regular “stroking” and those that brought up differing opinions were quickly quieted or eventually left. I was an outsider in this environment, hired for my expertise and because I came to the table with a  different set of skills, and I jumped in with both feet. There were those that supported me in my efforts, but more that were bothered that they were no longer “in charge” of what was going on.

I got my first, “be careful, don’t do too much too fast,” talk in the first month of my tenure. So I slowed down and started seeking more approval. This was still not enough for some, so I slowed even further so everyone could buy-in to any change before it was implemented. I felt frustrated and underutilized, since I was spending so much time defending my ideas and very little time doing what I saw as my real job. I was afraid to point out areas where mistakes were being made, or even make suggestions for improvements, because someone would always disagree, or get their feelings hurt, and we’d be right back at the drawing board. So, in the end, very little got done. I continued to suppress my opinions and shelved my expertise. Needless to say, I was not in a good spot.

But here’s the flip side. I’m obviously no longer in that environment and couldn’t be happier. Not only am I using the knowledge and skills I’ve accumulated in the last 20 years, I’m appreciated (and paid) for my efforts. But sometimes those old feelings of “don’t rock the boat,” and “try to fit in,” start rising to the surface. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so maybe I’ll temper what I say and it won’t be so bad, right?

Wrong. I’ve recently been told by more than one client that they appreciate the fact that I’m honest and even a bit blunt with my marketing advice and expertise. I even had one client decide to work with BBR Marketing solely because I took a chance and sent a note saying that they had missed the boat on a particular window of opportunity. “We want to work with you because you were the only one with the balls to tell us that what we were doing sucked,” was their exact quote. I can’t tell you the confidence boost that comes along with appreciation for being direct and giving honest input. It feels great to have others point out that I really do know what I’m doing in many cases!

I share this as encouragement for you to do the same. I’m not suggesting that you go out and start being brash for the sake of being brash, but if you have expertise in a particular area, don’t be afraid to share it. Typically, that’s why you were hired in the first place. If those you work with are sensitive to hearing differing opinions, especially about things that aren’t their area of expertise, start looking for a new place to work. I promised myself that I’d never again work for people that have such fragile egos that I can’t do my job for making them feel important, and I encourage you to find an environment where you are appreciated and valued, if and when you can. If you can’t call a spade a spade, when you are hired as the spade-identifying-expert, it’s time to move on. Come on friends, let’s go big or go home!