Happy Autumn!
I’ve been slowly getting back into the groove after a free flow summer.
This fantastic question came in and has kicked me back into gear - please do send questions like this on email or via socials and I will answer them over the Autumn.
Question:
“How do you make your voice heard when everyone else in the room is talking louder?
I often come prepared with valuable insights, but my team is full of big personalities and fast talkers -there’s rarely a pause in the conversation.
I sometimes struggle to find space to contribute, and I worry that holding back could impact my career growth.
I’d love to hear your perspective on how to navigate these situations and ensure your voice cuts through in a room full of strong voices.”
Answer:
Love this question, thank you!
Enthusiasm and energy can be a wonderful thing can’t it?
But when it tips over into over-talking and zero listening - the bumper cars version of communication - it makes meetings a whole lot of hot air and an even bigger waste of time. It’s frustrating when you know your voice could change things, but you sit listening as others fill the silence.
So what do you do about it?
How do you get your point made in a noisy room - whether it’s real or virtual?
Telling everyone else to zip it isn’t long term career enhancing but there is another way. And it’s less about speaking and more about listening.
Good speakers are always good listeners first. And the art of getting a word in edgeways is actually about your presence to others. Think of it as like driving in city traffic.
You have to know where you’re going - be intentional. What’s the value you can add here - how will it move things forward? You have to be able to spot the gaps.
Listen carefully to others - don’t wait to interrupt. Really pay attention.
Then find the alignment with your intention - that’s the gap in the traffic. Tune into how you can acknowledge the speaker’s ideas and then layer your idea into it.. “thanks A love your thoughts on `x, and what I’d add is Y…”
They know you’ve listened and are adding to their ideas, so they are much more likely to let you know the metaphorical flow of traffic.
Then as any good city driver will tell you- when the gap comes, commit, be bold. Sit up, power up, make eye contact and get your voice out across the room with ownership. Be clear, be committed and be crisp.
Then point made, be done. Don’t hog the air space once you’ve made your point, give it back to others.
As my Quaker Granny (in these wedding photos) knew well, the best advice of all is..
Don’t speak unless you improve the silence.
And if you do - own it.
Have a great weekend.
Caroline x