First, look over the agenda and identify where your input will be most important before the meeting starts. Second, focus on what valuable perspective you can provide when the relevant agenda item comes up. Finally, don't wait for the perfect moment to speak - jump in when there is a brief pause in conversation. With practice speaking up in meetings with strong personalities will get easier and help you do your job better.

1. How do I speak when I am in a
meeting with BIG personalities?

2. This can be hard.
There is always one person who takes up the
oxygen in the room, and you have to be pushy
to get a word in edgewise. So how can you
BE HEARD if you aren’t the pushy type?

3. First, look over the agenda and pick your
battle. It is harder to decide when you are in
the thick of things. DECIDE where you think
it is most important that you are heard before
you set foot in the room.

4. Second, as the item comes up on the agenda,
FOCUS on what you have to say and why it is
valuable to the meeting or organization.
Remember your voice is important, often crucial.

5. Finally, when the time comes, don’t think too
much. Sometimes we wait for the right
moment to jump in. NEWSFLASH – there is
no right time. Just wait until someone takes a
breath and go for it.

6. It may not be easy at first, but I PROMISE
it will get easier, and so will your job
once your voice is heard.

7. Do you have a question you’d like answered?
Let me know. I may answer it next month.
mmaley@articulatepersuasion.com