Effective at Speaking Up

Giving presentations is something I genuinely enjoy, and with practice over the years, I feel like it is something I do well (although humbly, I still feel there's a lot of room to grow!). In fact, right now I'm in Seattle delivering a live session. [Side note: Did you know I complement my courses with workshops on how to build effective teams? If you are interested, click on the link under my signature]

One thing people often ask me is: "How do you stop getting nervous?" The truth? I don’t. I still get nervous Every. Single. Time. So this week, I want to share a few techniques that help me not just for big presentations, but also for speaking up during meetings. Because whether it’s a big stage or a small conference room, learning to speak up is one of the best ways to grow your influence (and career).

Tip of the Week: You don’t need to feel fearless to act confident. The key is showing up prepared and speaking up (nerves and all).

THE THEORY

Meetings are presentations in disguise (and early contributions matter). Think of meetings as a series of small stages. You're not just there to absorb information, you're there to showcase your expertise and work...so speak up. One of the easiest ways to stand out is to speak early or at the end. Research shows that first impressions shape how others perceive your contribution throughout the meeting (primacy bias), and also people tend to remember most what was said last (Recency bias). Everything in between the beginning and the end is usually referred to as "the zone of huh?"

Use communication frameworks to stay clear and confident. Rambling happens when we speak without a clear structure. That’s why simple frameworks like BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) are so helpful. Start with your main point, then follow with context. Another favorite: Facts → Story → Ask. Start with observable data, explain what it means to you, then invite others in (e.g., “What do you think?”). These tools help you sound sharp and prepared (even if you feel nervous inside).

Power Poses work. Before a meeting or presentation, spend two minutes in a strong, open posture. Amy Cuddy shared the science behind this in her famous TED talk. Even seated, you can roll your shoulders back, plant your feet firmly, and open your chest. It’s a small shift that can create a big boost in how you feel and how you show up. [Side note: I do a "power pose" before every presentation (usually in the bathroom) and have only been caught once - totally worth it!]

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS

"If you attend a meeting and say nothing, you probably didn’t need to be there". That’s something a mentor once told me, and it stuck. You don’t have to dominate the conversation, but aim to contribute at least once. Meetings are opportunities to build your image as someone who is thoughtful, engaged, and ready to add value.

You can recover gracefully from rambling by summarizing yourself. I have been working on this for over 10 years and I am not sure if it is my Latin American genes or what, but I always ramble. One secret a mentor once shared with me: after rambling, simply pause and say, “Let me summarize what I just said,” and then list your key points clearly. Quick recovery shows poise and clarity under pressure.

Nerves are normal - preparation is how you embrace it. I still get nervous before every presentation. The difference now is that I don’t expect the nerves to disappear. Instead, I prepare small, manageable contributions ahead of time. A few key points I want to make, a question I can ask, or a joke I can make (if you have attended one of my training sessions you probably heard one of my dad jokes). Whether you’re in front of 100 people or in a small meeting, showing up ready to participate is how you build real confidence.

HOW TO PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE

1. Prep one thing to say. Before each meeting, jot down one comment, question, or insight you can share. Come prepared to speak.

2. Speak early or wrap up strong. Chime in during the first 10 minutes or offer a quick summary or insightful question at the end. Those moments stick.

3. Use a simple structure. Try BLUF or Facts → Story → Ask. And if you ramble? Pause, then say, “Let me summarize…”

4. Power Pose (even in your seat). Open posture = confident mindset. Shoulders back, feet grounded, deep breath. Stretch right before jumping into the (mini) stage.

5. Track your streak. Did you speak up today? Keep a simple “yes” streak. Confidence builds with reps.

Big stage or small meeting room, every time you speak up, you're stepping onto a stage. Your hard work deserves to be seen - and sometimes the only missing piece is your voice. BTW, as I press "send," the presentation went really well and the weather in Seattle has been great too.

Show up, Speak up,

Jorge Luis Pando

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