How to overcome fear of speaking in meetings

Meetings are an essential component of doing business. After the Covid crisis, virtual meetings have become more of a necessity. Meeting anxiety, also known as public speaking anxiety or fear of speaking in front of others, can make a person nervous and fearful when participating in professional engagements or situations, especially when it comes to speaking up in meetings.

Prepare before the meeting :-

It’s always beneficial to take a few minutes to prepare before the start of the meeting. Having the meeting agenda in advance helps understand the purpose of the meeting. Set aside some time to gather important points and thoughts about the issues that will be discussed, along with possible solutions. Engaging with the information shared and providing feedback demonstrates active participation.

Communicate effectively :-

Being open and upfront in meetings about your thought process is important. You can enhance your communication by using phrases such as, “There are many pros and cons if we finalize this decision, but if I have to make a decision right now, I would choose X,” or “I will be able to finish this work by this time today.” It’s also helpful to appreciate others’ thoughts while suggesting alternative approaches, such as saying, “I appreciate your thoughts, but I think we could also do it X way. Let’s arrange another meeting to discuss this further.” Using different phrases like these can initiate or conclude discussions effectively.

Always relax yourself :-

Deep belly breathing is a perfect technique for reducing stress and increasing confidence. Repeating positive mantras like “You deserve to be here” or “You can do it” can help tune out worries and focus on the meeting at hand.

Review your performance :-

Evaluating your performance after the meeting is beneficial in identifying areas for improvement. Make note of any positive feedback you receive about your performance, so you can refer to it before your next meeting or presentation.

Conclusion :-

Overcoming meeting anxiety enables active participation in day-to-day meetings with clients and internal teams and allows for real-time feedback. It’s important to recognize that not everyone needs to have new ideas to share every time they speak. Some individuals prefer to think things through before making decisions and speaking up. Others may interpret this as a lack of confidence, a fear of appearing foolish, or a reluctance to speak in front of others, which can hinder accountability. It’s crucial to confront these perceptions to avoid potential damage to one’s career.