The 10% Differentiator

1. Ideas, Insights and Inspirations

Finding Your Voice: A Leader's Journey to Presence in Executive Meetings

Recently, I had a fascinating discussion with a leader who shared his struggle with being heard in executive meetings. Despite his deep knowledge of the company and his expertise, his quieter, more reserved personality often made it challenging for him to assert his presence and make his points effectively.

The Challenge of Speaking Up

This leader isn't the type to naturally dominate a conversation. He's not an extrovert and doesn't naturally draw attention to himself. In meetings, especially those filled with strong personalities, he felt his voice was getting lost. He knew his stuff but expressing it in a room full of assertive people was a real struggle. This led to a feeling of missing out on opportunities to contribute meaningfully, despite having valuable insights to share.

A Strategy for Engagement

In our conversation, we explored strategies to help him engage more effectively in these settings. The goal was to find ways for him to share his insights without feeling overwhelmed or sidelined by more dominant personalities.

One practical approach we discussed was leveraging the power of questions. Instead of jumping straight into sharing his opinions, which felt daunting, we talked about starting by asking thoughtful, relevant questions. This technique serves multiple purposes:

• It engages others: By asking a question, you naturally enter the conversation without the pressure of taking a stand immediately.
• It clarifies points: Questions help clarify what others are saying, ensuring you understand their points fully before contributing your own insights.
• It opens dialogue: This non-confrontational approach fosters a dialogue, making it easier to weave your perspectives into the conversation organically.

The Benefit of Questions

Asking questions can subtly shift the dynamic in your favour. When you ask someone to elaborate on their point or to explain why they hold a certain view, it not only shows that you're engaged but also that you're thoughtful about the discussion. This method allows you to build on what's being said, offering your own insights in a manner that feels more like a natural part of the dialogue rather than a forced interjection.

Building Confidence Through Engagement

The more this leader practiced entering conversations by asking questions, the more confident he became. Each meeting became an opportunity to refine this skill, and over time, his presence in meetings grew stronger. He found that once he became comfortable with asking questions, it became increasingly easier to offer his own views directly.

Starting Small

For anyone facing similar challenges, the advice is straightforward: start by asking questions. This simple yet effective strategy can transform how you participate in discussions, helping you build confidence and ensure your voice is heard, all without stepping too far out of your comfort zone.

By focusing on this approach, the leader I was coaching began to see a change in how his contributions were perceived. He no longer felt sidelined but became an active, engaged participant in executive meetings. His journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes, finding your voice can start with a single question.

2. Reflections

Finding Your Voice in Executive Meetings: 5-step process tool

Navigating executive meetings as a quieter, more reserved leader can often feel like a challenge amidst the mix of strong personalities and dynamic conversations. While possessing deep knowledge and valuable insights, the struggle to assert your presence and share your perspectives effectively is a common hurdle.

This tool is designed to help you overcome these challenges by leveraging the power of questions - a subtle yet powerful way to engage with the discussion, clarify key points, and seamlessly integrate your views into the flow of conversation.

You can download a copy of the tool below.