Speaking up when you’re the quiet type can feel uncomfortable and awkward, especially when our culture often favors extroverts or the loudest voice. Even so, your opinions don’t have to go unheard. Reserving your comments for thoughtful contribution and not just for the sake of speaking is widely appreciated and will get you noticed by those in power.
Try using these techniques to leverage and develop the skills to speak up on your own terms, instead of letting shyness hold you back.
Study the agenda items
Discern which items are relevant to you and search for places to voice your opinions and input. Taking an extra few minutes to prepare takes the pressure off trying to think of something cohesive on the fly.
Write down your thoughts
Writing your thoughts down ahead of time ensures they are fully thought through. Sometimes reviewing them once written helps you recognize ideas that need revision or omitting altogether. Take notes during presentations and write down your comments ensuring they make sense before speaking. This also serves as a visual reminder to speak up.
Use your voice to support others
In situations when you feel you have nothing to contribute, try supporting others. Make these types of comments only when you genuinely mean it, though. Using your voice in this way helps others so that the best ideas move forward.
Make it a team effort
Try framing your idea as a response to a discussion with team members. This encourages input from others and demonstrates leadership. You’re not just bringing up problems and ideas for yourself, you’re doing it on behalf of your colleagues.
Communicate more confidently
Remember to project yourself confidently and be mindful of the tone, speed, and phrasing of your speech. Avoid ending all your sentences like a question. It gives people the impression that you are unsure about what you are saying. Present yourself as calm and in control, even if you feel like you’re not.
When you speak up and it’s not acknowledged or no immediate action comes from it, try not to be disheartened. Most people are just busy and not intentionally ignoring you, so try not to take it personally. Instead, be proactive and follow up on it, either directly with individuals or at the next meeting. If you’re the shy person in the office, don’t compare yourself or try to aim to be the most vocal person in a meeting room. That role is already taken. Using these techniques, speaking up when you’re the quiet type gets easier when you learn to leverage and develop the skills to speak up on your own terms, instead of letting your shyness dictate your career growth.
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