The Best Advice I’ve Ever Received

Very early on in my career, when I was assigned to big projects, I found myself in regular meetings with high-powered executives. I also found myself unable to speak, because I felt so intimidated. After one such meeting, my boss and mentor pulled me to the side and said, “Fran, you’re smart and have important thoughts and opinions that should be heard. ” He also told me that if I didn’t speak up, I would continue to be invisible and not develop the important relationships I needed to move forward in my career. This was such important advice! Once I started speaking up more, I felt more confident and seen. One of the high-powered executives actually hired me to be his number 2, and that promotion was such a critical point for me in my career. 

No matter how brilliant and impressive you are in one-on-one discussions, not speaking up in meetings hurts your chances of succeeding professionally, and of being seen at all.  The next time you’re in a meeting agonizing over raising your hand or simply inserting yourself into a conversation, stop and ask yourself, Why not? If you own that what you have to say is important and you’re speaking from your heart, you will be amazing.

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