It’s often a challenge for introverts to contribute to meetings, especially when the room—or Zoom—is filled with more outspoken colleagues. Speaking up can feel stressful, whether you’re seated at a crowded conference table or looking at a grid of faces staring back at you. However, staying quiet can sometimes lead to missed opportunities and the perception that you're not as engaged or involved as your extroverted peers.
Luckily, there are tips for effective meetings where you can overcome this obstacle and ensure your voice is heard. With some thoughtful preparation and small adjustments, introverts can gain the confidence to speak up and share their valuable insights in front of others.
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The importance of speaking up in meetings
Speaking up in meetings is essential for career growth, personal branding, and team collaboration. When you contribute to discussions, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your role, which can enhance your professional image. Being vocal also helps build relationships with colleagues, making it easier to collaborate and exchange ideas.
Furthermore, team meetings are often decision-making environments. Not speaking up can leave important ideas on the table, which may impact the effectiveness of the team and the quality of the decisions made.
In fast-paced workplaces, visibility is key, and voicing your opinions and thoughts shows your active participation in the company’s goals.
Introverts and the fear of speaking up in meetings
An introvert is someone who tends to feel more comfortable in solitary or small group settings, often preferring to spend time alone or with a few close friends rather than in large social gatherings. Introverts typically gain energy from quiet, reflective environments and may feel reluctant or afraid to speak up in meetings and during other group interactions.
Introverted people are often introspective, thoughtful, and more reserved, focusing on internal thoughts and ideas rather than external stimulation. While introverts can be social and enjoy interactions, they generally thrive in settings that allow for meaningful, deeper connections rather than superficial or high-energy encounters.
Why do introverts struggle in meetings? It can feel uncomfortable for three main reasons:
- Introverts often prefer to process their thoughts internally before sharing them, which can make quick participation in fast-moving discussions difficult.
- They also tend to avoid the spotlight, preferring one-on-one or small group conversations over large, open forums like a meeting.
- Introverts can feel drained by the social energy required in meetings, making it hard to muster the mental energy to speak up.
“The dread of being misunderstood or feeling overshadowed by their more outgoing colleagues is another hurdle introverts encounter during meetings,” says Michael Anderson, licensed professional counselor, and clinical director at Healing Pines Recovery, who has more than a decade of experience employing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and focused therapies.
In contrast, “extroverts generally thrive in social situations and may speak much more than introverts will, orienting the conversations towards them,” Anderson says. “The repetitiveness of such encounters may cause introverts to fear that their input might not be appreciated as much.”
All of these feelings and perceptions can be amplified in virtual meetings, where introverts may feel even more disconnected or overwhelmed by the format. Below, some tips on how to speak up as an introvert.
How to speak up during meetings as an introvert
If you’re an introvert who struggles to speak up in meetings, there are several tips for virtual meetings and in-person situations that should help ease this process and boost your confidence.
1. Prepare in advance
Knowing how to speak up more in meetings—and feel comfortable doing it—often comes down to advanced preparation. “Reviewing meeting topics and outlining key items before the meeting boosts intra-meeting confidence,” Anderson says.
This gives you time to organize your thoughts and enter the meeting with a clear idea of what you’ll say. If you anticipate feeling nervous, practice your points ahead of time. Rehearsing your contributions will make it easier to recall them in the moment and will help you feel more prepared and confident.
2. Start with smaller contributions
You don’t have to make the biggest or most groundbreaking comment in every meeting. Start small by making short contributions like verbally agreeing with a colleague (not just a head nod) or asking clarifying questions.
For example, if someone shares an idea, you can chime in with a simple, “I think that’s a great idea because…” or “Could you expand on how that would work?”
“Take a moment to breathe deeply before speaking,” says Gary Tucker, a licensed psychotherapist at D'Amore Mental Health. “Pausing can also give you time to collect your thoughts.”
3. Use non-verbal cues to signal engagement
In meetings, especially virtual ones, non-verbal communication can be just as important as verbal contributions. Using positive body language, like nodding or smiling, can signal to others that you’re engaged, even if you’re not speaking up often.
In virtual meetings, turning on your camera (if comfortable) and maintaining eye contact can also make you more visible to your colleagues and show that you're actively participating.
When you do feel ready to speak, this engagement will make it easier to insert yourself into the conversation without feeling like you're interrupting or coming out of nowhere.
This might help: 11 Ways to Use Your Body Language to Your Advantage
4. Set personal goals for each meeting
If speaking up consistently in meetings is a challenge, try setting small, achievable goals for each meeting. For example, aim to make one comment, ask a question, or summarize your thoughts at least once during the discussion. This approach can reduce the pressure to speak often while still ensuring that you contribute.
Over time, meeting these small goals can build your confidence and make speaking up feel more natural. Celebrate these little victories and take note of the positive feedback you receive after speaking up, as this can motivate you to continue.
5. Speak early in the meeting
Introverts can sometimes fall into the trap of waiting too long to speak up in meetings. As the discussion progresses, it may become more difficult to find the right moment to jump in, which can lead to further hesitation.
To counter this, try to make your first comment early in the meeting. Even a brief remark or agreement can make it easier to continue speaking later, as it breaks the ice and reduces the buildup of nervous energy.
Speaking early also signals your engagement and presence to the group, setting the stage for further contributions.
6. Leverage your strengths
While introverts may find speaking up in meetings challenging, they often excel at other skills that can enhance their contributions. For example, introverts tend to be great listeners. Use these strengths to your advantage by listening carefully to the discussion and offering well-thought-out insights.
“Remember that your voice is important,” says Dr. Max Doshay, CEO and co-founder of Monima Wellness. “Introverts bring depth, critical thinking, and a unique perspective to discussions, which can lead to richer, more nuanced conversations. Remind yourself that contributing to meetings is not just beneficial for the group but also an essential step in personal and professional growth.”
7. Ask questions
If coming up with a comment or opinion feels too overwhelming, asking questions is a great way to contribute. Thoughtful questions show that you’re paying attention and thinking critically about the discussion, and they can also prompt others to engage with your ideas.
For example, if someone presents a new strategy, you might ask, “How do you see this impacting our current processes?” or “Could you explain the reasoning behind that decision?” This allows you to participate without the pressure of having to share your own viewpoint right away.
8. Follow up after the meeting
If you don’t get a chance to speak up during the meeting, you can still contribute by following up afterward. Send an email to the meeting organizer or a colleague with your thoughts, ideas, or questions. This shows that you were engaged and have valuable insights, even if you didn’t get to share them during the actual meeting.
Following up also gives you more time to reflect on the discussion and provide a well-considered response, which may feel more comfortable for introverts who prefer to process information before speaking.
Follow these tips and you’ll slowly start to feel more confidence to speak up in meetings.
Bonus: Hacks and tools for remote workers
There are several virtual meeting tips and tools to feel more comfortable.
Take advantage of the chat function
If speaking up during the meeting feels overwhelming, use the chat feature to share your thoughts. This allows you to participate without interrupting the flow of the conversation or feeling pressured to speak on the spot. You can share comments, questions, or ideas in writing, and have your input recognized by the team.
Position yourself comfortably on screen
In virtual meetings, the presentation matters just as much as what you say. “Sit in a comfortable, quiet spot to minimize distractions and help you stay focused,” Tucker says.
Turn your camera on (if comfortable) to create a more engaging presence. Maintaining eye contact with the camera and nodding to show you're listening can help you feel more connected and signal your engagement to others.
Use the mute button strategically
If you're not actively speaking, it's a good idea to stay on mute to avoid background noise. However, remember to unmute yourself when you're ready to contribute, so you don't miss the chance to speak up. Keeping yourself on mute can also help you avoid unnecessary pressure to speak until you're fully prepared.
Choose the right moment to speak
In virtual meetings, it can be hard to find the right time to chime in without cutting someone off.
“With the absence of face structures, coupled with a limited scope of body language, it becomes more difficult to determine the appropriate times to speak up, if at all,” Anderson says.
Look for natural pauses in the conversation, such as when someone finishes a thought or when the host invites comments. You can also signal that you’d like to speak by raising your virtual hand or using the chat to say you have something to add.
By using these Meet, Teams, Skype, and Zoom meeting tips, introverts can find ways to contribute and feel more confident in an online environment.
Embrace your voice as an introvert
Speaking up in meetings as an introvert may seem like a daunting task, but remember that your voice holds value, and your unique perspective deserves to be heard.
While introverts might not always feel comfortable jumping into fast-paced discussions, their thoughtful, well-considered insights on how to speak up in virtual meetings and in person, can often bring balance and depth to conversations.
By focusing on three strategies for introverts to speak up in meetings—embracing your natural strengths, preparing in advance, and taking small, manageable steps—you can gradually build the confidence to contribute meaningfully in both virtual and in-person meetings.
Remember, speaking up doesn’t mean overpowering the conversation. It’s about finding moments where your input can make an impact, no matter how big or small. Over time, these contributions will help shape your professional reputation as someone who brings clarity and insight to the table.
So, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas—your voice matters, and the team is stronger when all perspectives are heard, including yours.
Read this next: 3 Things Introverts Can Do to Thrive in an Extroverted Workplace