How many times have you told yourself:

→ What if I say the wrong thing?
→ What if I get judged?
→ What if I get challenged?
→ What if I sound stupid?
→ What if I don't know enough?
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Staying silent is not the answer. Regardless of title, seniority level or years of experience, you owe it to yourself to speak up and be truly heard.

​I was supporting several of our clients this week on doing exactly this. They were initially getting in their way, feeling intimidated by men they worked with and being made to feel like their voice wasn't important.

Together, we built out their scripts and communication flow to own their voice, bring the right data, and take up space the way they deserve. For example, one of our members was initially nervous to ask her boss for approval on a course she wanted to take, and ended up getting his full buy-in this week!

Speaking up with confidence also allows you to open up more opportunities, build your credibility, and reinforce your relationships. Here's what to focus on.

3 ways to speak up without fear

1/ Prepare and practice

Confidence isn’t something you wait to feel, it’s something you build by taking action.

Start by getting clear on what you want to say and the outcome you want from the meeting or conversation. Then, work backwards to outline the key messages you'll share to reach that outcome fastest.

Step 1: Write out your 3 key messages​
→ Ask: “If they remember 3 things I say, what should it be?”​
→ Limit it to 3 bullet points, and build your flow around this.

Step 2: Predict pushback​
→ What objections, questions, or concerns might come up?
→ Write out answers for each and prepare backup support should you need.

Step 3: Tailor your messages​
→ Who’s in the room? What tone should you have?
→ What do they care about: speed? clarity? risks? Tie your points to that.

Step 4: Rehearse out loud​
→ Say it in the mirror and/or record it.
→ This will help you remove any distracting body language or fluff words.

Step 5: Do a dry run with someone else​
→ Practice with a colleague or boss to get at least 1-2 reps in.
→ Ask: Was I clear? Did anything feel confusing? Where did I lose you?”

[Check out my LinkedIn Learning course on Storytelling to Influence Leadership and Decision Makers].

2/ Rewire your self-talk

Your mindset is either your biggest asset or liability.

If you tend to struggle with negative self-talk like:
→ “I’m worried I’ll sound dumb.”​
→ “I don’t want to come off as too much.”​
→ “I need to have the perfect answer.”

Shifting your inner dialogue is a must. One reminder I always share with our clients is that you are the closest person to your area of the business.
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In other words, you know your stuff better than anyone. The more fact-based you can be, the more credible you'll sound and confident you'll feel, especially in key meetings, just like our client.

Use my 5 mindset shifts before any high-stakes conversation to show up as your best too:

1. Say it out loud: ​
→ My ideas and recommendations matter. It’s why I’m here.
→ I’ve earned a seat at the table. Let’s not waste it.
→ My answers don’t need to be perfect. They need to bring value.

2. Review your receipts: ​
→ Keep an email folder of past wins, accolades, or project successes.
→ Read 1-2 before a meeting to remind you what you’re capable of.
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​3. Visualize it going well: ​
→ Picture yourself speaking with calm clarity.
→ Imagine heads nodding, your ideas landing, or answering questions with ease.
→ This will shift nervous energy into excitement.

4. Reframe the fear: ​
→ Instead of thinking “what if this goes wrong?” or “what if I mess up?”, try the swap “what if it goes better than I anticipate?” or “I expect to be challenged and I’m prepared for it.”

5. Focus on contribution, not perfection: ​
→ You don't need to know everything. You need to know what matters.
→ Note down learnings from each meeting or presentation. This should include specifics on what you want to keep doing and what you want to improve on for the next time.

3/ Engage in active listening

Confident communication starts before you speak because listening signals presence.
It tells the room you're not just here to talk, but to understand, contribute and lead better.

Don't fall into waiting mode, where you mentally rehearse what you want to say next instead of tuning in to what’s being said now. When you’re fully present, you can:
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→ Catch the real concerns behind the words.
→ Identify moments where your voice adds more clarity.
→ Offer input that feels relevant, not rushed.

Here's 5 simple ways to become a more effective listener so you speak up without fear:

1. Eliminate distractions​
→ Close your laptop/open tabs, silence notifications, maintain eye contact.
→ Listening is a signal of respect. People notice when you're fully present so lean into that.

2. Let them finish​
→ Don’t jump in just because you have a point to add.
→ That short silence signals thoughtfulness and prevents you from cutting off others.
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Example: "That's a great point. I'd love to add something to this as well."

3. Use reflection phrases like:​
→ What I’m hearing is…
→ It sounds like the main concern is…
→ Can I check that I understood this right?

4. Watch for non-verbal cues​
→ Tone, facial expression, and posture can say a lot about the vibe of the room.
→ If someone says they’re fine but looks tense, that’s your cue to dig deeper.

Example: "Before I continue, is there anything I can clarify further for you?"

5. Respond with relevance​
→ Link your comment directly to what was said.
→ This positions you as collaborative, not combative.
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Example: “Since you mentioned the timeline is tighter than expected on this, I recommend we reprioritize [X] and push out the other deliverables. Do you agree?”​
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[Check out my free LinkedIn Learning nano-course on How to advocate for yourself in your career]

You've got this!