Last week’s poll surprised me.
Most of you said speaking up in meetings stresses you out the most.
So I changed this week’s topic.
I used to dread meetings too.
Back in my network news days, we had them twice a day. Reporters pitched stories and the executive team debated whether they would be approved or killed.
I didn’t just dislike those meetings, I dreaded them. I sat in the back hoping no one would call on me.
Even as my career advanced to the Saturday morning anchor and the primary fill in for Gayle King at CBS News, I still held back because I worried I would sound dumb.
Looking back, I see the cost of staying quiet.
When you don’t speak up, you leave a vacuum for people to make assumptions about what you’re capable of and what skills you possess. You also miss the most valuable outcome of speaking up in a meeting: making connections.
This week’s newsletter is about changing that.
We will cover:
Nervousness is Universal
5 Strategies to Build Your Confidence Jump to tips →
Nervousness is Universal
Discomfort is part of the communication process.
The nerves you feel and the second guessing are not signs of weakness- they are all part of being human.
After years of working with senior leaders, I have been humbled to see they struggle with it too!
Psychologists call this the likability gap. It’s the tendency to underestimate how much others like you after a conversation. Watch my 65 second explanation on TikTok.
If you know someone who stays quiet in meetings, forward them this newsletter.
5 Strategies to Build Confidence to Speak Up in a Meeting
Examples:
1. Prepare a few bullet points in advance 💬
“I reviewed the numbers before the meeting and noticed one trend worth discussing.”
2. Start with facts and context 📊
“Looking at last quarter’s data, we saw a 12% increase in demand.”
3. Pause and breathe before speaking⏱️
(pause) “One thought that comes to mind is how this might affect our timeline.”
4. Invite engagement 💬
“I agree with that direction. One thing we might also consider is the client’s deadline. How do others see that?”
5. Practice tiny acts of participation 🚀
“That’s a helpful point. One quick thing I’d add is the customer feedback we received last week.”
Next Week’s Tip
The goal of speaking up isn’t just to say more, it’s to say what matters and stop.
Next week, Id love for you all to pick the topic:
Where does communication break down most on your team?
If you know someone who could benefit from practical communication tips, I hope you'll share this with them. If you’re interested in private or team coaching, email me at [email protected].
