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Fast Company
2 hours ago
- Fast Company
How to go from quiet to commanding
BY Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 4:48 You're smart, capable, and consistently deliver results. But in meetings, your voice disappears. As an executive coach with over two decades of experience, I've helped hundreds of introverted leaders find their voice, speak up, and lead with impact. If you're a quiet professional, especially an introvert, you know this feeling well. You're respected, but not remembered. You stay heads-down, hoping the work will speak for itself. But it doesn't. The truth? Many high-performing introverts struggle to be heard, not because they lack confidence or ability, but because they rely on their work to speak for itself. In today's fast-paced, visibility-driven workplace, that's no longer enough. If you want to be seen as a leader, you have to be heard. I recently coached a senior scientist at a global biotech company. Exceptionally skilled and deeply respected, she quietly disappeared in high-stakes meetings, and it was costing her. Colleagues overlooked her contributions. Leaders began excluding her from key decisions, and she was repeatedly passed over for leadership roles, not because of her ability, but because she wasn't seen as a strong presence in the room. Her insights were compelling, but she hesitated to assert them. Some leaders began to misread her silence as a lack of confidence or conviction. What she experienced is common, especially for introverts. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that introverts are often overlooked for leadership roles, not because they're less effective, but because they don't actively show up. When they stay under the radar, they risk being underestimated, no matter how valuable their contributions. Great work isn't enough if no one sees it. You have to make it visible. And that means speaking up. You don't have to be the loudest voice in the room. But you do need to be the one people remember when the meeting ends. That's what shifts perception. That's what gets you noticed. The good news? You don't have to change who you are. You just need a strategy to speak up with clarity, confidence, and impact. Here's how. 5 WAYS TO SPEAK UP WITHOUT BEING LOUD These five strategies are designed specifically for quiet professionals like you, who want to be heard by adding value, not volume. 1. PREPARE WITH PURPOSE As an introvert, preparation is your superpower, but don't overdo it. When preparing for meetings, you don't need to know everything; you just need to know what matters. Don't just bring data; bring perspective. Before the meeting ask yourself: What's the one thing I want leadership to know? What decision are they facing, and how can I help move it forward? advertisement 2. CONNECT TO OUTCOMES Subject-matter experts, and many introverts, tend to explain their full thought process, but that can lose your audience. Instead, lead with the impact. Link your input directly to results. Leaders pay attention when they hear how an idea drives business value, solves a problem, or moves the team forward. 3. DROP SELF-MINIMIZING LANGUAGE Introverts often over-qualify their ideas to sound polite or careful, but it comes across as uncertainty. Skip phrases like 'This might be silly . . .' or 'I'm not sure this makes sense . . .' and say, 'Here's what I see' or 'One idea we haven't explored yet.' If you catch yourself starting with a qualifier, pause. Say it silently, then switch to a more confident version before speaking. 4. START WITH WHAT MATTERS Skip the long preambles. Don't ease in with, 'Let me walk you through my thinking . . .' Go straight to the value: 'Here's a risk I see' or 'One angle that haven't been mentioned . . .' The faster you get to your point, the more likely people are to listen and remember it. 5. FOLLOW UP TO EXTEND YOUR INFLUENCE Many introverts find that writing helps them organize and express their thoughts clearly, so use that strength. After the meeting, send a follow-up email summarizing key points or outlining next steps. This reinforces your ideas, keeps your contributions visible, and positions you as someone who drives clarity and action. YOU'RE IN THE ROOM FOR A REASON If you've ever stared at a table of senior leaders, or a Zoom screen full of them, and thought, What am I doing here? you're not alone. But you weren't invited as a favor. You're here because you add value. The question is: Are you making it clear why your voice matters? The next time you're in a meeting, don't disappear. Show up. Speak up. Let your quiet wisdom be heard. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is tonight, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
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Mansa Ayoola/Gallo Images Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
News24
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