Twice or three times this week, I’ve heard or read the same advice: “you don’t always have to put in your two cents.”  I decided to take the multiple reminders as a sign that I should blog about it.

It’s true that I’m always saying that you should do everything you can to be perceived as a contributor in your organization.  In general, this means recognizing the ways your unique talents, expertise, and ideas can add value, and making sure everyone you work with regularly takes advantage of them.  

But there’s a caveat.  As with any kind of good behavior, you don’t want to go overboard.  In meetings, for example, you don’t want to always be the person chiming in, the person who has a point of view on absolutely everything.  If you’re constantly the one who has to be talking, whether what you have to say is truly useful or not, people will gradually grow to resent your input.  Instead of listening and respecting your ideas, they’ll roll their eyes just as you start to open your mouth.  

If you know you have the tendency to share every thought you have with the world, practice taking a time out before a group meeting to think about the subject(s) to be discussed.  Formulate your one or two strongest points and then make a commitment to stick to those.  Your ideas will go a lot further when delivered thoughtfully and selectively.