How to Speak Up in Meetings Without Fear

Published on May 15, 2025

by Emma Jones

If you’ve ever sat in a meeting with something smart to say but kept quiet, you’re not alone. Many brilliant women struggle with voicing their thoughts—not because they lack ideas, but because they fear judgment, rejection, or getting it wrong.

Speaking up can feel like a risk. But it’s also a career accelerator, a visibility booster, and a confidence builder. Here’s how to start speaking with clarity and courage—no matter who’s in the room.

Step 1: Prepare Your Thoughts Ahead of Time

Confidence starts before the meeting even begins. Come with one or two talking points based on the agenda. Thinking through your input ahead of time makes it easier to chime in without scrambling for words.

Here are some ways to prep effectively, even with a tight schedule:

Review the agenda and highlight where your input fits
Write down 1-2 questions or observations to share
Keep a running list of recent wins or updates
Practice saying your key point out loud beforehand

Step 2: Use Framing Phrases That Ground You

Phrases like “One perspective to consider…” or “I’m thinking out loud here…” help soften the delivery while still showing thought leadership. They help you enter the conversation without pressure to be perfect.

Try these go-to openers when you’re ready to chime in:

“To build on that idea…”
“From a different angle…”
“Here’s what I’ve noticed…”
“What if we looked at it like this…”

Step 3: Start Small and Build Momentum

You don’t need to drop a mic every time. Start by agreeing with a point and adding a sentence. The more you practice this, the more natural it becomes to lead into your own insights.

Start by using these low-pressure entry points:

Echo a point: “I agree with what [Name] said about…”
Add a twist: “I’d add that we might also consider…”
Ask a question: “How would that affect [X group]?”
Support an idea: “Here’s a quick example of how that works…”

Step 4: Reframe Nervousness as Energy

Nerves aren’t the enemy—they’re a sign that you care. Channel that energy into focused delivery. Remind yourself: people aren’t judging you as harshly as you think.

Here’s how to shift that anxious energy into something useful:

Take three deep breaths before speaking
Smile briefly before you start to reset your posture
Remind yourself of one success before the meeting
View your nerves as excitement, not a threat

Step 5: Follow Up in Writing If Needed

If you forget to speak or fumble your point, all is not lost. You can follow up with a clear, concise message afterward. It shows initiative and allows your idea to land even after the meeting ends.

Try one of these effective follow-up strategies:

Send a short recap email with your point included
DM a team lead to clarify your thought
Add a comment in the meeting doc or notes
Share a relevant article or stat that supports your input

Mindset Shifts That Change Everything

Stop thinking of meetings as performance stages. They’re collaboration spaces. You don’t need a ‘perfect’ contribution—just a relevant one.

Also, remember this: if you’re in the room, your voice belongs there. You weren’t invited to observe; you were invited to participate.

Try This Instead

Here are a few small shifts that help:

Instead of rehearsing endlessly → Jot a few bullet points
Instead of overexplaining → Say your point, then stop
Instead of waiting for a ‘perfect moment’ → Jump in early
Instead of worrying what they think → Focus on adding value
Instead of staying silent → Ask one thoughtful question

Takeaway

Speaking up takes practice, not perfection. The more you do it, the less scary it feels. Prepare, show up, and trust that your voice adds something no one else can. Because it does.