Activity: After watching the video, turn to pg. 3 of your workbook and complete the exercise on where you could take a stand. If you are with your Buddy(ies), share what you wrote.

After watching this video, take a moment to think of a time when you’ve been caught off guard in an important conversation. What was the topic? How did you respond, and how do you wish you had responded?

In the next video, we’ll introduce a game-changing tool we call the Take a Stand Conversation Planner.

Lesson 3: Take a Stand Conversation Planner

Activity: Review the Take a Stand Conversation Planner on pg. 4-5 of your workbook. Think of an important conversation you intend to have in the near future. No need to write anything down; just identify one upcoming conversation with a manager, colleague, spouse, or friend. Then, watch the next two videos for examples on how to use this tool to prepare for important conversations.

These two videos give real-life examples of using this powerful tool. What is notable about the coaching Ida gives? How does it improve each conversation? 

Activity: Use the conversation planner on pg. 4-5 of your workbook to create an outline for the conversation you identified earlier. Make sure to give yourself a “by when” and practice out loud with your Buddy(ies). 

This lesson is all about building your network and creating a personal board of advisors. 

Activity: It’s your turn! Turn to pg. 6 of your workbook and write down who you want on your board of advisors. Remember, your Board can be made up of: internal stakeholders (managers, senior leaders), mentors and sponsors (those who use their capital to advocate for you), peers and cross-functional partners, and external relationships (industry colleagues, clients, former colleagues).

This lesson introduces a second tool, the Merchandise Yourself Conversation Planner. Before you work on your Conversation Planner, watch the next two videos for real-life examples.

These two videos give real-life examples of using this tool to build your network and grow your career.

 

Activity: Now that you’ve seen some helpful examples, work on your Merchandise Yourself Conversation Planner on pg. 7-8 of your workbook. Notice what you find uncomfortable. Merchandising yourself will become easier the more you do it! We recommend sharing your outline with your Buddy(ies) and practicing out loud.

Bonus: Evolve what you worked on in the Conversation Planner into an outline. See pg. 9 of your workbook for an example.

Did any of the examples in the video stick out to you? If you notice yourself using disempowering language and find it uncomfortable to give up, we challenge you to think about why. Write your most common ones down on a sticky note, and consult your note this week before you head into a meeting or press “send” on your emails. 

See pg. 10 of your workbook for common examples of disempowering language.