Balancing Act: Speaking Up When Someone Has More Influence Than You

Hosted by

TMU Alumni Relations in partnership with Alumni Learning Consortium (ALC)

Description

In high-stakes conversations, power doesn’t just shape the outcome. It shapes whether you speak at all. When a colleague or leader possesses more influence, formal authority, or decision-making weight, even the most seasoned contributors find themselves “playing it safe” — hesitating, diluting their insights, or opting for silence.

But staying quiet isn't just a missed opportunity for you; it’s a loss for your organization. This webinar is designed to bridge that gap. Drawing on a decade of research, Candace Doby delivers her signature “candid-coated’ guidance to move you beyond the "just be confident" cliché. Through a blend of strategies and real-world applications, she helps you practice speaking up courageously. You will learn how to navigate power dynamics without losing your voice, ensuring your ideas are heard when they matter most.

Key Takeaways:

• Decode Power Dynamics: Identify how perceived hierarchy and influence unconsciously shape your communication choices and risk-taking.
• Regulate Under Pressure: Learn "in-the-moment" techniques to steady the nervous system, allowing you to remain clear-headed and present when the stakes rise.
• Deploy Strategic Language: Apply strategies for high-impact communication that replace "softened" speech with a balance of professional diplomacy and unapologetic candor.

About the Speaker

Candace Doby is the founder and CEO of The Can-Do Company, a global courage-readiness training organization known for transforming professionals from self-censored to courageous communicators who accelerate engagement and innovation inside their workplaces. 

Whether she’s on a stage or behind a mic, she delivers a signature blend of truth, love, and attitude that empowers her audience to confront their peskiest workplace dilemmas. Candace is on a mission to ensure that no great idea is ever lost to silence and that every contributor dares to drive tomorrow’s innovation today.