Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1522815
21 | Communicate with Confidence Be direct While communication styles vary, Mitra Tayareh, director of application design engineering at MACOM, believes nothing beats direct communication. "For women in male-dominated fields, clarity and effective communication are absolutely essential," Tayareh stressed. "Whenever possible, opt for face-to-face conversations to deliver your message proficiently." Own your ideas Many women easily fall into the modesty trap and don't take credit for their work. Cindy Cui, director of software solutions at Keysight Technologies, understands this and tries to combat it. "I always own my idea," says Cui. "Too often, as women, we try to be nice or modest. We may include unnecessary details in our conversation. I do the opposite because I know what I'm talking about and want to convey the message clearly and succinctly." Put facts into a sentence and avoid using the words "I believe" Jane Yun, principal system architect at TE Connectivity, explains you can be simultaneously confident and humble: "I have a humbler style of communication— I'm confident, but I want to leave a certain space for other people as well." Achieving this balance is difficult, but excluding terms that undermine your credibility improves your communication. For Yun, "When I speak, I put the facts into a sentence. I avoid phrases like 'I believe' and instead draw on my knowledge about the subject." Practice Active Listening Look for the real intent behind every message For many of us, listening to the words and tone of a conversation conveys a lot. But sometimes, the real message is still hidden. As a leader, listening to each team member or getting to know their communication style may be complex. But as Jacqueline Olson, head of Americas Automotive Sales at Wolfspeed, points out, looking for the real intent behind every message is imperative: "Listening is key to benefiting from diverse opinions. You can find real value in the message when you truly understand what they are trying to communicate." Image Source: "golubovy / stock.adobe.com"