How to Speak Up in Meetings (Even When You’re Nervous)
Vikki Espinosa, CPC
?? Speaker & Workshop Designer | Helping People Take Control of Their Careers at Every Stage
Speaking up in meetings can feel intimidating, especially if you’re new to the workforce or part of a new team. You might worry about saying the wrong thing, interrupting, or just not knowing what to add. But here’s the truth: your voice matters.
Whether you’re an intern, a recent grad, or early in your career, speaking up in meetings helps you gain visibility, build confidence, and contribute value to the team. Here’s a tactical and practical approach to doing it—even if you’re feeling nervous.
Step 1: Prepare Before the Meeting
? Review the agenda (if available) and think about where you can contribute.
? Identify one or two points you might bring up—a question, an observation, or a connection to something else discussed.
? If you’re unsure, ask a teammate or your manager beforehand, “What would be helpful for me to contribute?” You might even ask them to call on you in the meeting so you can share your question or contribution.
Step 2: Start Small (Ease Into It)
? If speaking up feels daunting, begin by agreeing with a point (“I really liked what [Person] said about X…”).
? Ask a clarifying question (“Could you expand on how this applies to [specific situation]?”).
? Volunteer to summarize key takeaways at the end of the meeting (this is a low-pressure way to get involved!).
Step 3: Use Confident Language & Body Language
? Speak clearly and at a moderate pace—don’t rush!
? Avoid filler words like “just,” “kind of,” or “I’m not sure, but…”
? Make eye contact (even on Zoom) and sit upright to show engagement.
Step 4: Keep It Brief & Relevant
? Stay on topic—meetings are about efficiency!
? Avoid over-explaining; one to two sentences is often enough.
? If you’re cut off, politely say, “I’d like to finish my thought” to regain the floor.
Step 5: Reflect & Improve for Next Time
? After the meeting, reflect: What went well? What can you improve?
? Ask for feedback from a mentor or trusted colleague.
? Set a goal for the next meeting—maybe it’s speaking up one more time than before!
Final Thought:
Speaking up isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing engagement and adding value. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
?? What’s one strategy you’ve used to speak up confidently in meetings? Drop it in the comments! ??
President/Community Manager at Portland Metro Community Management LLC
3 周It's okay to be nervous. I remember back to my last year of college, when I did my student teaching. One thing I learned: why they put an elastic waistband on men's underwear (to catch the sweat running down your back, before it runs down your leg). It took a while before I became comfortable. I've had several experiences in life since then, that have reminded me of that lesson. One thing I learned while working in church settings is, everyone has a piece of the wisdom, and it's rare that any one person has all of it. You have to contribute your wisdom in order for the organization to reach a good decision.
Program Manager | Business Operations | Employee Experience Programs | Learning and Development | Process Improvement | Technology Industry
3 周Speaking up makes such an impact.?For those not confident, a good first step is to review the agenda and identify one or two points where you can contribute. Having a plan builds confidence and makes it easier to engage in the conversation.
Retired from Intel Corporation
3 周Great advice! Speak up even if only to say “my takeaway from this meeting is ___”. This will show that you were listening. And it’s an opportunity to be corrected if you misunderstood something. Better to be corrected when something is being discussed instead of when you’ve taken the wrong action based on a misunderstanding.
Global Leader| Coach| Transformational Leadership trainer| 3X TEDx Speaker ??| Bestselling Author ????| Harvard Business Review Advisory Council Member| Aspen Inst. fellow | 26y fortune 500 -Intel Corp
3 周Great advice. So important to open the camera in zoom to engage and connect ???? preparation always wins.