Today's feedback session at work
Today at a feedback session, I was told to be more brave. Again.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this. In my previous company, I was also encouraged to speak up more, to share my thoughts and opinions without waiting for the “right” moment. It made me think—maybe this is more than just a personal habit. Maybe it’s a cultural thing.
Where I come from, conversations have a certain flow. You wait your turn. You listen. If someone wants to hear your opinion, they’ll ask. Jumping in while someone else is talking? That feels rude. It’s about respect, about making sure everyone gets their moment.
But here, it’s different. If you wait for your turn, it may never come. People jump in, interrupt, and assert their opinions without hesitation. It’s not considered rude—it’s just how things work. If you don’t speak up, it’s almost like you’re invisible.
Honestly, I struggle with this. Sometimes, I feel like I have to wear two masks. One where I follow what I’ve been taught—waiting, observing, respecting space. And another where I push myself to cut in, to claim my moment, even when it feels unnatural. It’s exhausting trying to navigate between the two.
I know I need to adapt, but I don’t want to lose the values I grew up with either. So where’s the balance? How do I stay true to myself while also thriving in an environment that plays by different rules?
If you’ve ever had to juggle two different ways of communicating, how did you handle it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.