How to Build Courage to Say What You Need to Say in Meetings

Do you like to make your voice heard when you’re at work?

It’s no surprise if you don’t. Even if you’re not an introvert, finding the courage to speak up at work is hard! You might not know what to say, or a lack of confidence could be holding you back, which could also be coming across in your email.

But when you don’t say what you need to say, you’re in for some harsh consequences. It makes you appear invisible and prevents you from rising to a leadership role. It could make you seem uninterested in your work, too.

5 Tips to Become More Outspoken in Meetings

So, how can you transform to speak your mind at work? Read on to find out.

1. Know Your Worth

Recognize the value that you bring to the table. Remember, you got hired for a reason. Your boss saw something in you, so prove them right!

Even if it doesn’t feel like it, you have a lot to contribute. As long as you believe in yourself, all that self-doubt will begin to fade away.

2. Get Ahead of Meetings

Sometimes, people choose to avoid participating in discussions when they’re not the host. I had a direct report that was amazing at hosting meetings – she would carve out space for voices to be heard and she was sure to inject her own. But when it came to her attendance in other people’s meetings, she held back, simply because she felt she wasn’t knowledgeable enough. That’s an easy problem to fix, though, so you shouldn’t let it hinder you, too.

Start getting educated on the agenda or tasks at hand. By doing so, you’ll give yourself enough time to think about them before they get talked about. Decide which items you have opinions on, make a list of questions that you’ll voice in the meeting, and voice them when the opportunity arises.

3. Loudly Support Your Colleagues

As you try to become more outspoken, there will still be times when you don’t know what to say. However, that doesn’t mean you should remain silent. You won’t make any progress otherwise!

Instead, offer supportive feedback to your colleagues when they share their thoughts. Engage in what everyone else is talking about, so you still get heard. It’ll help you get used to participating in conversations, too. 

An easy entry point is to join a meeting a few minutes early. You’ll get the intro’s out of the way before other’s join or you’ll gain a few precious minutes catching-up on personal items. Either way, you’ll calm your nerves.

4. Practice What You’re Going to Say

This tip may seem silly, but it works. Make it a habit to practice what you want to say before even saying it. By doing so, over time, speaking at work will feel effortless and more natural.

Rehearse in your car, at the bathroom mirror, or in the comfort of your chair. You can even ask a friend or family member to listen and provide constructive criticism. 

Practicing can also help you stop using filler words such as “um,” or “like.” A surprising number of leader’s use the notes section in PowerPoint for a reason – prep your words in advance for the most impact without the jitters.

5. Take Notes During Discussions

Picture this — you’re in a meeting, and you have something to say, but you forget it before you even get the chance to talk. Does this scenario sound familiar?

You can prevent it from happening by taking notes throughout discussions. Don’t worry about being thorough, but jot down important points or ideas. If you can’t remember what was said or your opinions on it, you can refer back when it’s time for questions or conversation.

Lasting Thoughts

Sharing your perspective at work is rewarding. You’re not only speaking your truth, you’re contributing to the conversation that could lead to better ideas and outputs. You’ll get the added bonus of feeling like you’re connected to work and your co-workers. 

When you build the courage to say what you need to say at work, you’ll gain more confidence, credibility, and visibility. All three are winning ingredients to advance in your career. 

Building the courage to speak up at work isn’t easy to do. But, as long as you make an effort and gain some confidence, you’ll get there.

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