How To Speak In Meetings With Confidence And Authority

Are you struggling to speak up confidently in meetings? You’re not alone. Many of us face this challenge, but there’s a way to get past it. In this blog post, we’ll explore what part of the environment needs to be set up for you to speak up, 11 tips you can put into practice to be successful, and some things to avoid. Let’s dive in. 

The Importance of Speaking Up Confidently

Speaking up confidently in meetings is a skill we all need and can practice. However, it’s essential to practice it the right way. An unsafe environment, wrong timing, a hostile crowd, or lack of supportive elements can make it a daunting task. Therefore, the first and foremost step is to create the right environment.

Setting Up the Right Environment

A conducive meeting environment follows the same principles as running a great meeting. Here are the essential components:

1. Preparation: The meeting should be well-prepared.
2. Purpose: The meeting must have a clear purpose.
3. Focus: The meeting should be focused, so everyone knows the direction.
4. Healthy Conflict: The environment must allow for healthy conflict where everyone can engage.

With these components in place, you can:

1. See where the conversation is headed and stay with that context.
2. Use your experience to contribute meaningfully.
3. Practice saying something that adds value to the conversation.

How to Speak Confidently in Meetings

Practicing is key to getting better at speaking up in meetings. Remember, practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect or makes permanent. Here are 11 tips to help you practice effectively and speak up confidently:

1. Prepare in Advance

A well-scheduled meeting with a clear purpose allows you to come prepared. Understand what’s being discussed and do any necessary research ahead of time.

2. Overcome Limiting Beliefs

Move past your limiting beliefs. Stop censoring yourself and believe that people need your opinion and expertise. Your contributions are valuable and necessary.

3. Listen Well

Always listen attentively. Sometimes, listening deeply can make you forget what you were going to say, but it’s crucial for understanding the conversation and contributing meaningfully.

4. Ask Questions

If you’re not ready to speak up, ask for clarity. Questions like “What does this mean?” or “What about that?” can help move the conversation forward and ensure you understand the context before providing your input.

5. Use a Meeting Agenda

If you’re hosting the meeting, use an agenda. If you’re a participant, align with the agenda to know when to speak up.

6. Believe in Your Answers

Center your response around a single concept or word you are emotionally connected to. This focus will help you speak passionately and effectively.

7. Provide Context

When speaking up, provide context. Explain what you see, the current conditions, and what makes you believe your opinion is relevant. This makes it easier for others to understand and engage with your input.

8. Share Experiences

Relate your contributions to your experiences. This makes your input more relatable and credible.

9. Practice Regularly

Take every opportunity to add value. The more you practice, the more you normalize speaking up and the better you get at it.

10. Commit to Speaking Up

Write down key points you want to address during the meeting. Commit to speaking up about these topics and follow through.

11. Ease Into It

If you’re feeling super nervous, don’t force it. Find natural opportunities to speak up, be patient with yourself, and understand that even the best speakers make mistakes and improve over time.

Key Things to Avoid When Speaking in Meetings

Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Having Your Camera Off: In virtual meetings, having your camera on helps create a natural connection and makes your comments more impactful.
2. Being Distracted: Avoid multitasking during meetings. Stay focused to keep up with the context and contribute effectively.
3. Not Listening to Others: Failing to listen disconnects you from the group and can make your comments less relevant.

Learn More with These Resources

To help you prepare for meetings and speak up with confidence, I’ve created a reference card formatted in Canva. You can find it in the description below. Use it as a guide for your meetings, and I wish you the best of luck in speaking up confidently.

On we go!