Have you ever found yourself in a meeting room filled with colleagues who seem to effortlessly share their thoughts and ideas, while you prefer to process information internally. As an internal processor in a room dominated by external processors, building confidence to speak authentically and establish your leadership presence can feel like a challenge. I’ve been there, and so have many of my clients. I’m here to share some helpful insights and strategies that we’ve used to help professionals thrive in these situations and unleash your authentic voice.
1️⃣ Embrace Your Strengths:
Internal processing is a valuable asset! Take pride in your ability to carefully analyze information, reflect deeply, and offer thoughtful insights. Recognize that your contributions and thoughtfulness bring a unique perspective to the table. Embrace the power of your internal thoughts and find ways to articulate them effectively. One tip is to jot down key thoughts or words to help prompt conversation as the meeting progresses.
2️⃣ Preparation is Key:
Building confidence begins with preparation. Take the time to gather your thoughts and figure out what you want to say (or some ideas) before the meeting. This will help you get your message across more clearly. Take time to review the agenda, gather relevant data, and jot down key points. By preparing in advance, you’ll feel more equipped to contribute when the time comes.
3️⃣ Active Listening:
While others may express their thoughts more readily, your strength lies in active listening. Engage fully with what others are saying, and use your internal processing to identify underlying patterns and connections. By actively listening, you’ll enhance your understanding, find threads between topics and strategize, and be better equipped to contribute meaningfully. If called up, you can share a few thoughts and you can always add, “This is really important to me, and I’d like to gather my thoughts and strategy, and get back to you.”
4️⃣ Find Your Opening:
Look for opportunities to interject your insights into the conversation. Identify moments where you can add value and contribute to the discussion. Even reiterating something that was said that you agree with or asking more questions on a topic shows a deeper level engagement. Remember, it’s not about speaking for the sake of speaking, but about bringing forth perspectives that drive the conversation forward.
5️⃣ Practice Expressing Your Thoughts:
Building confidence takes practice and consistency. Practice by expressing your ideas in smaller settings, such as team meetings or one-on-one discussions. Gradually expand your comfort zone and challenge yourself to speak up more assertively in larger group settings. Each step will help you build confidence and your voice over time. The key is consistency!
As an internal processor myself, I used to feel overshadowed in meetings dominated by external processors. But through intentional, consistent practice, I learned to embrace my own unique strengths and thoughts. By taking the time to process internally and prepare for conversations, I was able to offer insights that others hadn’t considered. I could pull through threads and connections that may not have been thought through. Over time, my confidence grew, and I found my voice in those meetings. Think of leadership presence as a journey.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts, experiences and strategies for building confidence and establishing your leadership presence as an internal processor in a room with external processors. Let’s learn from each other and empower one another to thrive in meetings and beyond.
If this topic resonates with you DM me for a complimentary leadership breakthrough session or check out my free masterclass on having a leadership mindset to build confidence. These sessions are really about helping to see where you are versus where you want to be. I guarantee you’ll walk away with value and some ideas or strategies to help bridge that gap.
