About 1 in 3 employees feel unheard or completely ignored in the workplace, according to a pulse report from Workhuman. Sometimes it looks like co-workers excluding you from work conversations or bosses failing to recognize you for you contributions.

If it feels like you’re wearing an invisibility cloak, Karin Hurt and David Dye, co-founders of Let’s Grow Leaders, say it’s important to go on a discovery mission. They say you should take time to understand where, when and with whom you want to be seen and then ask for what you need.

To get you started, they’ve outlined some powerful phrases to use when you want to share what’s on your mind or get your voice in the discussion. We share Dye and Hurt’s ideas in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

“What do people not see that I wish they would? For what do I want to be known?” If you want your boss or co-workers to see how hard you work, look for ways to showcase your achievements. If you want others to take your ideas more seriously, try changing your approach. Dye and Hurt suggest completing this sentence: “I wish people would know how much I ____.”

“I’d love to set up some time to talk to you about ____. How’s Thursday at 10?” Don’t let your good work go unnoticed. Hurt and Dye say you should ask for time to talk about what matters to you.

“Sometimes, I feel isolated in my role. I’d love to explore ways to be included in discussions about ____.” This phrase gets right to the point, which busy leaders appreciate. Tell your boss how you’re feeling and ask them for exactly what you need.

“Working remotely can feel lonely. Could we talk about ways we can connect more as a team?” Chances are, you’re not the only who feels alone sometimes. Talk to your boss about it. Dye and Hurt say you should not wait for your manager to bring it up, but instead be proactive in starting a conversation.

“Would you like to grab a (real or virtual) coffee?” Reaching out to others on your team is a great way to build rapport and establish connections. As you grow your network, you can reach out to these people to bounce ideas, get feedback or ask for advice. If you feel isolated, Hurt and Dye recommend investing in making some friends.

“I have an idea that will (insert strategic benefit statement here).” Sometimes people disqualify their own ideas. They might say, “I know I’m not an expert on this, but …” or “This is probably a bad idea, but …” Don’t say those kinds of phrases, as they can lead to your ideas being immediately overlooked. Instead, be confident about your ideas. This can make people take note and pay attention to what you have to say.

“Before we leave this conversation, I have something important to add.” Your ideas are valid. Don’t let fast talkers rush on to the next topic before you say what you want to say.

If you’re feeling like no one is hearing you at work, try some of the phrases above. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and ask questions. You are your own best advocate, so try presenting yourself in a new way to your boss and co-workers.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Karin Hurt and David Dye are co-founders of Let’s Grow Leaders, a company that offers leadership development programs.