In his 2018 TED Talk How to Speak up for yourself, Adam Galinsky asked the attendees to use their finger to draw an imaginary E on their foreheads. Whether the E was correctly oriented for someone you are speaking with or correctly oriented for you to see demonstrates perspective taking. Galinsky uses this activity as he speaks about using perspective taking to lower your risk when speaking up. By taking others perspectives you are more likely to learn, to be heard and to have your idea or request accepted.

The other tools that Galinsky highlights to lower your risk when speaking up and having your position valued include:

• Advocating for others
• flexibility by offering options/choices
• Having allies (allies can be developed by asking someone for advice)
• Showing your expertise and having solid evidence