“Speaking up isn’t about being the loudest. It’s about being the clearest.”
Listen, I know your heart starts doing a drum solo when you even think about raising your hand in a meeting. That feeling of wanting to say something smart but your throat just…closes up? Yeah, I’ve been there. Public speaking at work, even in a small team setting, can feel like the most awkward, exposing thing in the world.
You’re sitting there, watching someone else get credit for the idea you had 10 minutes ago, or watching a project go in the wrong direction, and you’re just…silent. It’s not that you don’t have the answer. It’s that the idea of all those eyes on you makes you want to crawl under the table. Let’s fix that.
Why Does Public Speaking at Work Feel So Awkward?
First, let’s normalize this. That awkward feeling isn’t you being “bad at your job” or “shy.” It’s biology, sis. Your brain is literally wired to see a group of people staring at you as a threat. Back in the day, that meant a predator. Now it means Brenda from Accounting, but your nervous system didn’t get the memo.
You’re also probably dealing with what they call “spotlight syndrome.” You think everyone is hyper-focused on every tiny stumble, every “um,” the slight shake in your voice. The truth? They’re mostly thinking about their own lunch, their own deadline, their own awkward moment that’s coming up. Let that sink in.
💡 Quick Tip
Before you speak, press your feet flat into the floor. Feel that grounding. It tells your brain you’re stable and safe, not in danger. It’s a tiny hack that works wonders.
Then there’s the fear of being “too much.” We get conditioned to be polite, not to rock the boat. So when you have a contrary opinion or a big idea, it feels like you’re causing trouble. Girl, you are not a disturbance. You are a contributor. Your perspective is literally what they’re paying you for.
💊 What Works: The Mighty Mini Wireless Mic – Practice your talking points out loud at home. Hearing your own voice, clear and confident, on a recording is a game-changer. It de-weirdifies the sound of you speaking.
What Actually Works: The Pre-Game & The Play-By-Play
Okay, let’s get tactical. This isn’t about becoming a TED Talk star overnight. It’s about getting your point across without wanting to die. We’re breaking this down.
Step 1: The 30-Second Prep (Do This Right Before Any Meeting)
You don’t need a novel. Jot down ONE thing you want to say. Just one. It could be a question, an agreement with a point, or your one key update. Having it written in front of you is a security blanket. It takes the “what do I say?!” panic off the table.
Step 2: The First Move is the Hardest
Your goal in the first few meetings is just to say ONE thing. Anything. “I agree with that timeline.” “That’s a great point, Sarah.” It gets your voice in the room. It’s like dipping your toe in the pool. The next time, it’s easier to wade in a little deeper.
Step 3: Use a Bridge Phrase
Instead of just launching in, use a simple phrase to handoff to yourself. It feels more natural and less abrupt. Try:
“Jumping off of what Mark said…”
“To build on that idea…”
“One thing I was thinking about related to this is…”
See? You’re not just shouting into the void. You’re joining a conversation.
People who speak up are 50% more likely to be seen as leadership material.
Yeah, that’s a real stat. And it’s not because they’re the smartest. It’s because they’re the most visible. Your work doesn’t speak for itself, sis. You have to speak for it.
Step 4: Master the “Pause and Breathe”
When it’s your turn, you will feel rushed. Your brain will scream “SPIT IT OUT FAST!” Fight that. Take a tiny breath before you start. If you lose your train of thought mid-sentence, it’s okay to say, “Let me rephrase that,” and take another breath. A two-second silence feels like an eternity to you, but to everyone else, it looks like you’re thoughtful.
The Truth Nobody Tells You About Public Speaking
Nobody is born good at this. I don’t care how confident your manager seems. Everyone is faking it until it feels real. The difference between you and the person who speaks up easily? Practice. That’s it. They’ve just had more reps at feeling awkward and doing it anyway.
Here’s the other secret: Your voice matters MORE when you’re young and new. You see things the people who have been there 10 years are blind to. That fresh perspective? It’s your superpower. That “obvious” question you’re afraid to ask? It’s probably clarifying things for three other people who were too scared to ask it.
“Your goal isn’t to be perfect. Your goal is to be understood.”
Also, let’s kill this myth: Speaking up doesn’t mean giving a monologue. It can be asking one piercing question. It can be summarizing what you just heard to make sure you’re on track. Public speaking in the workplace is often just effective participation.
This is the kind of stuff women talk about inside TechMae every single day. No judgment, just real ones keeping it real. We swap scripts for asking for raises, debrief after awkward meetings, and hype each other up before big presentations.
Related: This post on building unshakeable confidence is a must-read for women on their journey.
Start Here: Your 7-Day Speak-Up Challenge
Don’t just read this and move on. Pick one of these for each day this week. Tiny wins build the muscle.
Why This Works:
✅ It’s bite-sized. No overwhelming goals.
✅ It gives you a script so you don’t blank.
✅ You’ll prove to yourself that the world doesn’t end when you use your voice.
You might also love this article on journaling – one of our most shared. It helps you untangle the thoughts that hold you back from speaking up.
This Is Your Sign to Stop Doing It Alone
Women inside TechMae have been exactly where you are. We practice public speaking in our virtual co-working sessions, share wins when we finally nail that presentation, and vent when it feels hard. Come find your people.
