# 162 | How to Feel More Confident Speaking Up in Leadership Meetings

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816/162-how-to-feel-more-confident-speaking-up-in-leadership-meetings
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816/162-how-to-feel-more-confident-speaking-up-in-leadership-meetings.md
Podcast: [HR Coffee Time](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816)
Published: 2026-01-16T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.brightskycareercoaching.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/162
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/001edde0-1e5c-456b-9772-30db51372b35.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/hr-coffee-time-4106816/episodes/162-how-to-feel-more-confident-speaking-up-in-leadership-meetings
Duration seconds: 980

## Resource

Do you ever leave a leadership meeting wishing you’d said something – only to replay it later and think, “Why didn’t I speak up?” In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores why speaking up in leadership meetings can feel so daunting (even when you know you have something valuable to contribute). She shares practical, realistic ways to build confidence in those moments. This episode is especially for HR and People professionals who find themselves second-guessing their ideas, worrying about being challenged, or holding back because the meeting feels high-stakes or fast-paced. Drawing on her coaching experience, Fay unpacks strategies to help. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why imposter feelings often show up more strongly in leadership meetings – and why that does not mean you do not belong there How your nervous system plays a big role in confidence, and simple ways to feel calmer and more grounded in the moment Breathing, grounding, and physical techniques you can use before and during meetings The different kinds of value you bring to leadership conversations – beyond having the “perfect” answer Why you do not need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact Practical strategies to make speaking up feel more manageable, including: Setting a small, realistic goal for your contribution Shaping meetings in advance so you are not waiting for the “right moment” Using professional phrases that buy you thinking time How to zoom out and remember that one meeting does not define your credibility Why confidence grows through familiarity and practice – not by forcing yourself to be someone you are not Useful Links Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn Visit Fay’s website The Essential HR Planner website Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme Other…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/hr-coffee-time-4106816/episodes/162-how-to-feel-more-confident-speaking-up-in-leadership-meetings/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/hr-coffee-time-4106816/162-how-to-feel-more-confident-speaking-up-in-leadership-meetings.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.