Are you just a bystander at your weekly meetings? Do you have an idea that you’d like to express but don’t have the confidence to jump into the discussion? Would you like to speak up more but don’t know how?
Communication skills training has some good advice for you:
- Master your emotions so you appear calm and confident. Be direct. Use simple language. State the facts with authority. The more you can present your ideas in a clear, controlled and compelling way, the more your audience will sit up and pay attention.
- Be prepared. If speaking spontaneously makes you nervous, practice what you want to say…first in writing and then verbally. Know the main points you want to convey and stick to them. You don’t want your “speech” to sound canned but you do want to avoid appearing flustered. Share your authentic viewpoint. It is yours to own and express.
- Lay the groundwork. Try to have conversations outside and before the meeting so you understand the issues thoroughly, can test your ideas and are aware of how others are thinking. Then you will feel that you have a real handle on what is on the agenda and deserve to be heard.
