How to Speak Up in Senior Leadership Meetings (Without Shouting Over Everyone!)

Have you ever struggled to speak up in a senior leadership meeting, especially when the loudest voices seem to dominate the room? Today, I’m sharing my top tips on how to make an impact without having to shout over everyone!"

Speaking up in a senior leadership or board meeting can be tough, especially if you’re a new leader, still building confidence, or a deep thinker in a room full of, let’s say… enthusiastic talkers.

I truly believe that the most thoughtful contributions (and sometimes even the most naïve questions) can have the biggest impact. You don’t need to be the loudest; you need to be intentional.

And let’s be honest, the worst feeling is leaving the room frustrated because you didn’t say what you wanted to.

I know this struggle well. I’m a confident person with plenty to say, but I also like to think things through. Sometimes, though, as a senior leader, you have to be in the live conversation.

So, here are my top tips for speaking up with confidence, curiosity, and influence:

1. Prepare with Purpose

Deep thinkers thrive on reflection, so if you know the agenda, jot down key points or questions in advance. Make sure you have your key points and insights in front of you. This makes it easier to contribute without overthinking in the moment. Preparation and thinking in advance are superpowers. Winging it only goes so far.

2. Read the Room

You often know a tricky discussion is coming. Take a moment to read the energy in the room, body language, unspoken tensions, and where potential conflicts might arise before anyone says a word. Then, use your knowledge and insights to navigate the different characters, personalities and viewpoints.

3. Use Strategic Pauses

Fast-paced discussions can feel impossible to break into. Instead of trying to out-shout the loudest voice, wait for a natural pause and step in with:

• ‘I’d like to offer a different perspective…’

• ‘Can I add something here?’

A well-timed point carries way more weight than constant talking.

4. Ask Curious Questions

Questions are your best friend if you’re unsure when to jump in. They give you a voice and shift the conversation to deeper thinking. Try:

• ‘How does this align with our long-term strategy?’

• ‘What assumptions might we be making here?’

• ‘What would success look like for everyone involved?’

5. Reframe Conflict as Opportunity

If dominant voices are clashing, use it as an opening. Say something like:

‘It sounds like we’re looking at this from two different angles—how do we bring these together in a way that works for everyone?’

This positions you as a bridge-builder rather than just another voice in the debate.

6. Own Your Thinking Style

Not all great points have to be made in the moment. If you need time to process, that’s okay! You can always say:

‘I’d like to reflect on this and follow up with some thoughts.’

Then, follow up in an email or one-on-one conversation.

7. If You Can’t Get a Word In… Say So!

Let’s be clear—no one should feel shut down or steamrolled in a meeting. If you’re being drowned out, call it out in the moment.

Something simple like: ‘I’d like to contribute here, but I’m struggling to get a word in—can we make space for different voices?’

The chair should be managing this, but if they aren’t, don’t wait for permission to speak up; you will regret it later.

Leadership isn’t about speaking the most; it’s about speaking purposefully.

Thoughtfulness is a strength, so use it to guide conversations rather than compete in the noise.

Let's chat if you’d like to build confidence in speaking up, influencing others, and owning your leadership voice!

📞 Call me on 07962 101879

📧 Email me at lila@lilapleban.com

And if you’ve got any other great tips, drop them in the comments!