I’ve had the privilege of training and coaching hundreds of amazing people in leadership roles. I keep a list of the most common communication challenges that these leaders face. You might be interested to know that the challenge of ‘speaking up’ in meetings is a persistent concern for more people than you might think.

It may be a challenge for you too. After meetings you might find yourself disappointed and frustrated, questioning why it is so difficult for you to convey a stronger presence in meetings. Perhaps you too often find yourself in a situation where you can't get a word in. More extroverted colleagues tend to dominate the conversation, leaving little space for you to interject and get your voice to be heard.

This scenario, shared by many, often leads to feelings of disempowerment.  It's all too easy for those struggling to get 'air time' to withdraw into silence, taking their valuable contributions with them. However, the consequences of this can be far-reaching, negatively impacting the quality of dialogue, learning, effective decision-making, and the overall progress of your team and the organization.

If this is you, what can you do about it?   Of course, the responsibility lies with us all.

First let’s look at this challenge through 'the value' lens.  Respect is a commonly held corporate value.  The value of respecting and enrolling every voice in the team is a good place to start bringing about change.  This value needs to be a shared, acknowledged, and embraced by all team members and leader.

At an individual level, the good news is there are strategies you can use to break free from the cycle of silence and to boost your presence and impact in meetings.

Here are 8 tried-and-tested techniques you can action right now to transform how you show up and contribute:

1. Believe in your worth: Remind yourself that you have earned your place at the table. Turn up your positive self-talk. Acknowledge your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Recognize that your voice is needed, carries weight, and can bring valuable insights to the conversation.
2. Be fully present: Engage wholeheartedly in meetings. Give your complete attention to the discussion at hand. Actively listen to others, demonstrating your genuine interest and respect for their viewpoints. Pay attention to your body language and the cues you give off even when not speaking head nods, eye contact, forward leaning as just some micro cues you can five out.

4. Sharpen your situational awareness. Read the room, absorb the atmosphere, and understand where others are coming from. Use well-timed questions like "What's your understanding?" or "How does this sound to you?" to get yourself into the conversation and encourage dialogue.
5. Embrace vulnerability and courage: Speaking up requires vulnerability and courage. Embrace the discomfort that comes with sharing your opinions, ideas, and concerns. Don’t let the fear of judgement gag your self-expression. Accept the heat of attention. Share your opinions so others know where you are coming from.
6. Polish your messaging techniques. Ensure that your communication is clear, concise, and memorable. Avoid meandering through sentences. There are techniques you can learn for this.
7. Connect and collaborate: Look for opportunities to bridge ideas and build connections. Take on the role of a bridge builder in meetings by summarizing key points, clarifying discussions, and fostering understanding among team members. Your ability to facilitate dialogue and harmonize different perspectives will help make you an invaluable asset.
8. Prepare and prime yourself: Prioritize thorough preparation before meetings. Familiarize yourself with the agenda, relevant information, and key discussion points. Walk into the room with an opinion or point of view. Make sure it’s well formulated and succinct. Avoid a fixed mindset. Remain open to the opinion of others.
9. Be prepared to assert your expertise. Own your knowledge and share it confidently when appropriate.

So remember, your voice, ideas, and unique perspectives matter. Believe in your worth, embrace vulnerability, and actively engage in meetings. Through your presence and contributions, you can shape the outcome and help drive positive change within your team and organization.

Now, let's be realistic. Not all meetings go the way you want but these strategies will help you walk away more often feeling you’ve made your presence felt.  You'll feel proud and satisfied with your contribution.

There are other tips and strategies you can employ, but I hope the ones I’ve explored here help. Your voice really does matter.