Find Your Voice at Work

Speaking up can be intimidating, but proving you have something smart to say commands respect…and is crucial for your advancement. Follow these pointers from Lauren Maillian, entrepreneur, author, and co-star of Quit Your Day Job.

- Judith Ohikuare

SHOWCASE YOUR STRENGTHS

I was a teenage model, so I learned a lot about business and brand management at an early age. By the time I was 21, I had my own wine company and oversaw everything from web strategy to operations—but I worried I wouldn’t be taken seriously by my much-older counterparts. Since I thought my age might keep someone from fully appreciating my professional value, I made sure to play up my accomplishments and show that I was resourceful and smart enough to succeed. That’s when people started respecting me.

LEAD WITH FACTS