Grow your confidence to speak up

Many of us have experienced situations where we wanted to express our opinion at a business meeting, in a group of colleagues or superiors, but for various reasons we felt shy and insecure. This is completely normal, but it is important to understand that confidence is a key element of success in the business environment. In this article, we will discuss the challenges and concerns that may arise during a business meeting, what methods and elements help to increase confidence, and what you can do to quickly start taking action to improve your confidence.

Challenges and concerns during a business meeting

Fear of being judged by others: One of the main challenges faced by shy people is the fear of being judged and criticized by other meeting participants. This can lead to self-censorship and inhibition in expressing their ideas.
Lack of confidence in one's own competence: Shy people sometimes feel insecure about their knowledge and skills, which makes it difficult for them to fully engage in the discussion.
Fear of public speaking: Public speaking or expressing one's thoughts in front of a group can be daunting for many people. The fear of forgetting words or getting stuck during a presentation is a common problem.

Ways that can help to increase confidence in a business meeting

Preparation: One of the best ways to increase confidence is to prepare thoroughly for the meeting. Take a look at the topics you will be discussing, take notes, and prepare questions or comments in advance. The better you prepare, the more confident you will feel.
Public speaking training: If fear of public speaking is your problem, it is worth taking steps to improve these skills. You can start by speaking in front of small groups, and then gradually increase the size of the audience.
Building your knowledge and skills: Continuous learning and developing professional skills help to increase confidence. The more competent we feel, the easier it is to express our opinion.
Support from mentors and friends: Seek support from your colleagues, mentors, or friends. Often, talking to someone who is more experienced can help break down the barriers of shyness.
Clothing, hair, and makeup: It may be helpful to spend an extra moment preparing for the meeting by planning how you will look during the meeting. This can affect how you feel. Will you be comfortable sitting, standing, and turning to the speaker? It is worth to ensure that nothing distracts you, and may even make you feel better.

What is the easiest thing to introduce to quickly start taking action to improve your confidence?

First step: Start with small steps. To begin with, try to actively listen to other meeting participants. This can help you better understand the group dynamics and gain confidence in the presence of others.
Raising your hand: Instead of trying to step on stage right away, start by raising your hand when you have something to say. This is a subtle way to mark your presence and prepare others for your speech.
Confidence exercises: Focus on building confidence in yourself. Work on accepting your strengths and weaknesses. Understand that everyone makes mistakes and that is part of the learning process.
Getting to know people: The better you know other meeting participants, the easier it will be for you to talk to them. Building relationships can help increase confidence in the presence of these people.

Confidence in a business meeting is a skill that can be developed and improved. It is important to remember that everyone has moments of shyness, but how we deal with them can significantly impact our professional success. Through preparation, training, and support from others, we can easily increase our confidence and start actively participating in business discussions.

What increases confidence in a business meeting?