How to Speak Up in Meetings (Without Feeling Like an Impostor)

Have you ever sat in a meeting with something valuable to say—but held back? Maybe you thought, "What if I mess up? What if they don’t understand me? What if my idea is actually...terrible?" (Spoiler: It’s not.)

You’re not alone. Many non-native English-speaking professional women hesitate to speak up, worried about making mistakes, struggling to find the right words, or feeling overshadowed by more confident colleagues.

The problem? Staying silent means missing out on opportunities to showcase your expertise, contribute your ideas, and gain recognition. And let’s be honest—how many times has someone else said what you were thinking, and you kicked yourself for not speaking up first?

So, how do you start speaking up with confidence (without feeling like you might spontaneously combust)?

1. Prepare Key Phrases in Advance

Thinking on your feet in another language can be tricky—like trying to juggle while riding a bicycle. So, preparation is your secret weapon.

• Before the meeting, jot down a few phrases you can use to introduce your ideas:
• Having these at your fingertips reduces hesitation and helps you jump into the conversation naturally.

?? Example: Let’s say your team is discussing a new marketing strategy. Instead of waiting and hoping someone else will mention your idea, you can say, “One point to consider is how this will impact our international clients. Based on my experience, they prefer a more personalized approach.”

2. Start Small, Then Build Up

You don’t have to jump straight into a TED Talk. Ease into speaking up:

• Begin by agreeing with a colleague: “I agree with [Name]’s point, and I’d like to add…”
• Ask a question: “Could you clarify what you mean by…?”
• Summarize a key idea: “So what we’re saying is…”

Each time you speak, you build confidence and make your voice a regular part of the discussion.

?? Example: Imagine your team is debating budget cuts, and you’re unsure about speaking up. Instead of giving a long speech, start small: “I see both sides of this discussion. Can we explore how this will impact our long-term strategy?”

3. Use Your Voice to Project Confidence

Even if you’re nervous, how you say something matters just as much as what you say:

• Slow down – Speaking too fast makes you harder to understand (and makes you sound more nervous!).
• Use pauses – A short pause before key points adds impact and gives you time to think.
• Emphasize keywords – Stressing key words helps your message stand out.

?? Example: Instead of saying, “Uh, yeah, so I think maybe we could try, um, a different approach…,” say: “I think we could try a different approach. One that focuses more on client engagement.”

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re tired of feeling like the quiet one in meetings and want to speak up with confidence, let’s chat! Book a free consultation with me, and we’ll work on practical strategies to help you communicate powerfully at work.

?? What’s one thing that helps you speak up in meetings? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!