🔑 How to Crush Fear of Speaking Up in Meetings — Before the Meeting Even Starts

_{I remember when I first started working in North America. I used to look at my colleagues, a bit puzzled. In my head, they talked and talked and talked — the meeting would end, they seemed to agree on a way forward, but I wasn’t really sure what had just happened.}

_{At first, I thought it was the language. English is my second language, and I was just getting started. But soon I realized that I needed to pay much closer attention to what people were actually saying — to really listen between the lines.}

_{And to be honest, I was often worried someone would ask me a question in the meeting, and I’d look like an idiot — because I wasn’t fully following the conversation.}

_{Over time, I discovered that improving my communication skills made a huge difference. Not just in understanding, but in contributing, in being heard, and in growing my career.}

_{That’s why, in this new version of my newsletter, I want to focus on helping tech professionals like you sharpen your communication skills. From writing a stronger resume, to preparing for interviews, to speaking in public — or simply speaking up in meetings — I want to give you tools that can truly help move your career forward.}

_{I can tell you firsthand: my career took a very different (and much more positive) turn when I improved how I communicate. And now, I want to help you do the same.}

_{Are you ready to take this journey with me?}

_{— Aderson}

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🔑 How to Crush Fear of Speaking Up in Meetings — Before the Meeting Even Starts

Have you ever sat in a meeting, heart racing, mind blank — knowing you had something to say but too nervous to speak up?

It’s one of the most common struggles for tech professionals. And here’s a question I hear often:

“How do I stop freezing up when it’s my turn to talk in a meeting?”

You don’t need to be a natural public speaker. You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room. The key is simple — preparation beats fear.

When you walk into a meeting prepared, fear loses its grip on you. Let me show you how.

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3 Simple Ways to Prepare (And Leave Fear at the Door)

🗂️ Prepare 1–2 Key Points in Advance

🗣️ Practice Speaking Your Points Out Loud

🎈 Shift Your Focus From “Looking Smart” to “Adding Value”

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🗂️ Prepare 1–2 Key Points in Advance

Here’s the mistake most people make: they hope to “wing it” and contribute in the flow of the meeting. When nerves kick in — that strategy collapses.

Instead, walk in with 1–2 points ready to go.

Before the meeting, ask yourself:

• What is one update, insight, or question I can share?

• What is one place I can add perspective or clarification?

Write those points down. You don’t need a script — just bullets. When your moment comes, you’re ready.

Example: “We found that X solution improved the response time by 40%.” “I’d like to suggest we consider Y approach for the next sprint.”

This alone will give you 10x more confidence than going in cold.

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🗣️ Practice Speaking Your Points Out Loud

A pro tip that most skip: practice saying your points out loud once or twice.

Why?

• You catch awkward phrasing

• You build muscle memory — so your brain isn’t doing all the work in the moment

• You sound more natural and clear

Before your meeting, take 2 minutes. Stand up. Say your points out loud, as if you were already in the room.

You’ll walk in with your words warmed up — not frozen in your head.

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🎈 Shift Your Focus From “Looking Smart” to “Adding Value”

One of the biggest sources of fear? The pressure to sound brilliant.

Here’s a mindset shift that works wonders: Stop trying to look smart. Start trying to add value.

Your job in a meeting isn’t to impress — it’s to contribute.

• Ask a clarifying question others are probably wondering

• Share a small insight from your work

• Suggest a next step

When you focus on helping the group move forward, the fear of judgment melts away.

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Final Thoughts

Speaking up in meetings isn’t about talent. It’s about preparation. The more you prep — even just a little — the more your fear will fade and your confidence will grow.

Start with these three habits. Practice them consistently. Over time, you’ll build a presence in meetings that earns trust and respect.

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Personal Updates

• 🤧 I’m sick - Plans never work the way we want.

• 🌎 Getting used to the new dynamics of life in Brazil. Very different from my life in Canada. Some good, some not so good.

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“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” — Joe Paterno

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