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Speaking up in a meeting can feel terrifying. Your heart’s racing, your palms are sweaty, and by the time you’ve built up the courage to say something, the moment’s passed and someone else has already said it (less eloquently, might I add) or the conversation has moved on.
But staying quiet doesn’t serve you. If you want to be seen, heard, and taken seriously at work, you need to find your voice in the room — whether via video call or in person.
Why it matters
You could be the most capable person in the room, but if no one hears your ideas, you’ll get overlooked. People (including decision-makers) remember who contributes. That doesn’t mean you need to talk just for the sake of it — but when you have something useful to say, saying it out loud puts your name on the map.
And no, you don’t need to be the loudest person to be effective. Confidence isn’t about volume — it’s about value.
So, what’s holding you back?
Here’s what usually stops people:
“What if I say something stupid?”
“What if I interrupt someone?”
“What if I freeze?”
“What if I’m wrong?”
Spoiler: none of these things are as career-ending as your brain would have you believe. Most people are too focused on their own nerves to notice your minor stumbles. And if you do mess up? You’re human. Welcome to the club.
How to actually speak up
Let’s keep this practical. Here’s how to get involved without feeling like you’re winging it:
1. Prep one point beforehand
If you know the agenda, think of one thing you can contribute. It might be a question, an update, or a perspective others haven’t considered. Having something in your back pocket can help ease the nerves.
2. Time it right
Look for natural pauses or when someone says, “Any thoughts?” That’s your cue. Just a clear, confident “I’ve got a thought on that.”
3. Use phrases that buy you space
Still panicking? Try:
“Just to add to that…”
“One thing we might consider is…”
“Can I ask a quick question here?”
These openers are solid. They ease you in and show you’re thinking critically.
4. Don’t aim for perfection
You’re allowed to stumble or reword mid-sentence. As long as the message is clear, nobody’s grading your grammar.
For example:
Let’s say you’re in a project meeting. Everyone’s tossing around ideas for a client proposal, and you’re sitting on a cracking idea… but the conversation’s flying and you’re waiting for the right time.
Instead of waiting forever, jump in with:
“Quick thought — what if we approached this from the customer’s perspective instead of the product angle? I’ve seen that work well before.”
You’ve contributed. You’re now part of the conversation. People will start directing questions your way, and it gets easier from there.
What if someone interrupts you?
Don’t shrink. Politely but firmly reclaim the space:
“Sorry — just let me finish that thought.”
You’re allowed to speak. You don’t need permission. And if someone constantly talks over you, that’s a them problem, not a you one.
What If Someone Talks OVER You?
This happens far too often—especially to women and more junior staff. Don’t let it slide.
If someone cuts in while you're speaking, try:
“I’ll just finish my point and then hand over to you.”
Or:
“Hang on — I wasn’t quite finished there.”
You don’t need to be rude, but you do have every right to finish your sentence. Confidence doesn’t equal aggression , it means backing yourself to take up space.
And If Someone Steals Your Idea?
Ah yes, the old “say what you said, just louder and with more hand gestures” trick. Infuriating.
Here’s what you can do:
Politely loop back:
“That’s actually similar to what I was saying earlier about X—it’s great to see it landing.”
Or get in early and reinforce:
“Building on what I mentioned earlier, I think this could also apply to…”
It’s subtle, but it flags that the idea originated with you without turning it into a drama. People notice. Especially if you do it consistently and professionally.
Speaking up doesn’t mean dominating every meeting. It means knowing that your voice matters and backing yourself to use it. You don’t need to have the answer, just an answer. You don’t need to speak first, just speak.
Start small. Back yourself. And trust that the more you do it, the less scary it feels.
