How to find your voice at meetings

Small shifts. Big presence.

Meetings can feel like a nightmare where only a few get to speak. But it’s not just about what you say— it’s how you say it. It's how you prepare and place yourself to be heard.

1. Know why you're speaking. You need to speak when it matters, so ahead think - what do you want to say? Write it down if necessary so you will then know when the relevant topic, key word or item comes up that is your cue.

   
   

2. Be concise and clear. You do not have to rephrase, shorter is better. Make eye contact with the chair or facilitator and ensure to look at others in the room. This shows you are engaged and smile. Allow yourself to use your hands, gestures helps us process thought to speech and emphasise your words.

   
   

3. Choose your seat wisely. Where you sit matters if you want to be noticed, sit opposite the Chair or most senior person in the room. Next best is to sit on the right side of the, if they are right handed, research suggests that right-handed individuals may have an inclination to favour the right side of their body space. The opposite is true if they are left handed. You'll get to be seen when you want to speak - small change - big difference.

   
   

4. Prepare before you go into the room. Take a few moments before the meeting to find somewhere private, it's usually the toilet. Do your power poses or super woman poses, stretch and take up space. You can do this.

   
   

5. Calm your whole self. As you stretch notice your breathing, if its fast due to nerves put your hand on your diaphragm - feet hip width apart - eyes soft - breathe in for 4 and breath out for 4 slowly releasing as if gently blowing a dandelion head. Repeat and this time breathe out for 6, in for 4 out for 6 and repeat. If you can do 5 sets you will really notice as your heart rate slows. You slow down from a fright, flight state to a calm and safe state.

   
   

6. Once in the room. As you sit down feel your weight in the chair, your bottom resting on the seat, your back, your legs down to your toes. Feel your feet on the floor, you are grounded. This is how you present and hold your space. You are open to noticing other people, smile and connect.

   You are ready.