How to Speak Up in Meetings and Get Credit for Your Ideas

It’s an all-too-common situation.

You’re in a project meeting, discussing strategy for an upcoming product, and you make a smart suggestion.

No one reacts.

Then, literally five minutes later, someone else puts forward the exact same thing you just said and everyone is all ears and keen to push forward with this brilliant idea – that you came up with!

How to speak up in meetings so people actually listen

Here’s the unspoken truth: it’s more than likely down to the way you’re presenting yourself at work.

Wait, wait, before you slam your laptop shut in frustration, I get it. I’ve been there myself.

As a softly spoken young project manager, I was often left feeling overlooked when my ideas were used, but only when someone louder, older or male-r than me put it forward.

Here’s how to share your fabulous ideas so people actually listen.

Cultivate your image

Being listened to starts with how you present yourself at work.

I’m not talking about buying a new wardrobe of corporate girlie outfits (we can dream though, right?), but showing up as someone who is confident, capable and competent,

The reality is, we listen to people who appear sure of themselves.

You might believe that doing good work should be enough to get recognition, and I agree with you – but this isn’t how the working world works. And far too many brilliant, qualified people lose credit to their less competent but more outspoken counterparts because they’re scared to speak up with conviction.

And so, it’s time to stand up straight, delete the word “um” from your vocabulary and start practising speaking with self-assurance.

Be your idea’s PR

Whenever you make a suggestion at work, consider the audience. What’s going to appeal to this particular group of people about your idea – how will it make their job easier?

Remember, presentation is everything, so do your idea justice. Don’t beat around the bush or make it sound complicated or their brains will stop paying attention before you’ve even finished speaking. Keep it concise, relevant and simple.

You want buy-in, not boring.

Communication is everything when it comes to project management, so here’s your opportunity to improve.

Claim your credit with grace

The temptation to be passive aggressive when your colleague suggests the same thing you did mere minutes ago is strong – but you’re better than that.

However, it’s perfectly acceptable to acknowledge your own idea, in a classy, elegant manner of course.

You simply agree with the person, and add in the phrase “I’m glad you agree with me”.

Or alternatively “Yes, as I mentioned earlier…”

It’s discreet, but calls attention to the fact that you were the originator of the idea and lets the person who recycled it know that you’re on to them.

Even better is that wonderful person who will call attention to it for you – and if you can be that person for someone else, you’ll make yourself a work ally for life.

Don’t get discouraged

It’s so easy to let your ego get in the way of sharing your ideas.

One incident that makes your cheeks warm with indignation and you swear never to share your ideas in public again because being ignored is even more embarrassing than being rejected.

Well, here’s the thing: you can’t take this personally.

There might be a myriad of reasons your idea wasn’t heard, and none of them are because your idea was rubbish or your boss hates you.

Take it as an opportunity to improve your communication skills and refine the way you share your ideas, and next time, you’ll get the credit you deserve.