Speaking Up for Yourself: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Are you speaking up for yourself in the workplace?? Or is it easier just to stay quiet?

If you find yourself Walking the Tightrope Between Owning Your Value and Boasting you have a lot of company.

Don't hold back!

Stand in your Power.

Share your ideas.

Speaking up is crucial to your career, and to your sense of self.

Societal conditioning encourages women to play small. ?We’re supposed to be quiet and support others to shine.? When we do speak up, we’re often interrupted or discounted.

It’s even worse for women of color.

And yet, statistics show over and over that organizations that encourage diverse voices are more productive, have less turnover and show more profit. ?

So why aren’t you taking your rightful place in the conversation?

When you let others take the floor, you’re giving up recognition you deserve. Consistently staying silent impacts how others see you and can hold you back in your career.

Here’s how to change that and make sure your voice is heard.

1. Be Concise and Focused

One reason people may overlook your ideas is if your message isn’t clear. Tangents and lengthy explanations lose attention quickly. Make sure you’re concise and stay on point—people are more likely to tune in and take your contributions seriously when you do.

This is a learnable skill.? It’s a huge part of my work to “Get Women’s Voices Heard in Places of Power.”

2. Make Your Contributions Relevant and Impactful

When you make a suggestion, don’t forget to include the WHY.? Why does it matter to your listeners?? Why should they care??

Last week I wrote about the Problem-Solution-Benefit formula:

• Problem – Briefly outline the issue.
• Solution – Describe your approach to resolving it.
• Benefit – Highlight the positive impact of your solution.

Not only does this get your listeners engaged, it will train you to think past the immediate problem to the longer-term consequences.? The more you show that you are thinking ahead, the more wyou will be perceived as a leader.

3. Be Polite, but Assertive

Avoid two extremes: staying silent or reacting emotionally. If someone interrupts you, calmly reassert yourself with phrases like, “I’d like to finish my thought,” or ask an ally to help. Assertiveness helps set boundaries, shows your confidence, and reinforces your value. When you assert yourself, others take note and are more likely to respect your contributions.

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4. Cultivate Self-Awareness and Know Your Expertise

Most of the time, people don’t interrupt intentionally. They may be distracted or unaware. Stay consistent in calmly and confidently reclaiming your space, reinforcing that you have a right to be heard. Knowing your own expertise and valuing what you bring to the table strengthens your voice—when you speak confidently, others are more likely to listen.

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Speaking up for yourself is crucial to your professional growth. Each time you advocate for yourself, you show your team that your ideas matter. Start practicing this in your next meeting. By standing up for yourself, you’re building your presence, advancing your career, and helping create a respectful, attentive workplace.

As the great Ruth Bader Ginsberg said,

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

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Hi, if we haven't met yet, I’m Elizabeth Bachman, Presentation Skills Trainer, Executive Coach, and former International Opera Director.

I work with high-level executive women who “have a seat at the table” but still aren’t listened to.? Thus, they see promotions and recognition go to louder, flashier people.? (Sometimes people they have trained.)

I help hundreds of leaders become Visible & Valued? so they get the raise, the promotion or the exciting new job that will give them the recognition they deserve.

“Shift the way you’re perceived by shifting the way you communicate.”

If you want YOUR voice to be heard, book a call at www.TalkToElizabeth.com .

No Selling.

Just Talk.

Learn more at https://elizabethbachman.com/