ARV Connect & Grow
Start free
Subscribe
Confidence / Confidence at Work / Lesson 13
LESSON 13 · CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Speak Up in a Big Group

Thirty-two easy ways to speak up in a big group, so your voice is heard even when the room is full.

Big rooms feel scary. Small tricks make them easy.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg), The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Speak up in a big group
TIP 1

Speak up in a big group

Speaking in front of many people makes the heart race, because the brain treats an audience as a social risk. Preparation, a strong first sentence and slow breathing make it manageable. Keep your point short and your voice steady.

TRY THIS
Prepare a 20-second comment for your next large meeting and say it early.
Photo for the tip: Prepare your point
TIP 2

Prepare your point

Write it.

TRY THIS
Draft.
Photo for the tip: Cut it to 20 seconds
TIP 3

Cut it to 20 seconds

Short.

TRY THIS
Trim.
Photo for the tip: Write your first sentence
TIP 4

Write your first sentence

Memorise it.

TRY THIS
Learn it.
Photo for the tip: Start with a name or question
TIP 5

Start with a name or question

“Thanks, Sam. A question on…”

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Take a breath first
TIP 6

Take a breath first

Slow exhale.

TRY THIS
Do it.
Photo for the tip: Stand or sit tall
TIP 7

Stand or sit tall

Open.

TRY THIS
Check.
Photo for the tip: Look at a friendly face
TIP 8

Look at a friendly face

Anchor.

TRY THIS
Find one.
Photo for the tip: Speak slower than normal
TIP 9

Speak slower than normal

Nerves speed you up.

TRY THIS
Slow down.
Photo for the tip: Pause after key words
TIP 10

Pause after key words

Strong.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: End clearly
TIP 11

End clearly

“That’s my point.”

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Sit near the front
TIP 12

Sit near the front

Easier.

TRY THIS
Choose.
Photo for the tip: Sit near the chair
TIP 13

Sit near the chair

Be seen.

TRY THIS
Choose.
Photo for the tip: Use the microphone well
TIP 14

Use the microphone well

Hold close.

TRY THIS
Test.
Photo for the tip: Use the chat
TIP 15

Use the chat

If you prefer.

TRY THIS
Type.
Photo for the tip: Use a colleague
TIP 16

Use a colleague

Ask to cue you.

TRY THIS
Agree.
Photo for the tip: Avoid apologising
TIP 17

Avoid apologising

Skip it.

TRY THIS
Remove.
Photo for the tip: Avoid long speeches
TIP 18

Avoid long speeches

Short.

TRY THIS
Trim.
Photo for the tip: Scene: town hall
TIP 19

Scene: town hall

Submit a question.

TRY THIS
Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Scene: conference Q&A
TIP 20

Scene: conference Q&A

Start with thanks.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a training room
TIP 21

Scene: a training room

Raise your hand.

TRY THIS
Do it.
Photo for the tip: Scene: webinar
TIP 22

Scene: webinar

Use the Q&A box.

TRY THIS
Type.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a board meeting
TIP 23

Scene: a board meeting

Prepare facts.

TRY THIS
Review.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a large team
TIP 24

Scene: a large team

Prepare a headline.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a hostile room
TIP 25

Scene: a hostile room

Stay calm.

TRY THIS
Breathe.
Photo for the tip: Scene: after a silence
TIP 26

Scene: after a silence

Fill kindly.

TRY THIS
Speak.
Photo for the tip: Scene: after someone strong
TIP 27

Scene: after someone strong

Add a calm view.

TRY THIS
Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Scene: with senior people
TIP 28

Scene: with senior people

Respect and clarity.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: when anxious
TIP 29

Scene: when anxious

Feel your feet.

TRY THIS
Ground.
Photo for the tip: Scene: when shaking
TIP 30

Scene: when shaking

Hold a pen or paper.

TRY THIS
Steady.
Photo for the tip: Scene: when your voice shakes
TIP 31

Scene: when your voice shakes

Slow down; it settles.

TRY THIS
Pause.
Photo for the tip: Practise aloud
TIP 32

Practise aloud

Ten times.

TRY THIS
Rehearse.
Photo for the tip: Practise in small groups
TIP 33

Practise in small groups

Then bigger.

TRY THIS
Step up.
Photo for the tip: Practise with video
TIP 34

Practise with video

Record.

TRY THIS
Review.
Photo for the tip: Join a speaking club
TIP 35

Join a speaking club

Toastmasters-style.

TRY THIS
Search.
Photo for the tip: Volunteer to present
TIP 36

Volunteer to present

Small first.

TRY THIS
Offer.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 37

Be patient

Skill grows.

TRY THIS
Keep going.
Photo for the tip: Seek help
TIP 38

Seek help

Coaching.

TRY THIS
Consider it.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate
TIP 39

Celebrate

You spoke.

TRY THIS
Mark it.
Photo for the tip: Close with courage
TIP 40

Close with courage

Say, “Twenty seconds of courage.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

OPEN

“Good morning, everyone.”

ASK

“May I ask a question?”

ADD

“I would like to add a point.”

SUPPORT

“I agree with the last speaker.”

THANK

“Thank you for the chance to speak.”

CLOSE

“That is all from me.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Prepare a line
DAY 2
Sit near the front
DAY 3
Speak early
DAY 4
Stand if you can
DAY 5
Project your voice
DAY 6
Look at friendly faces
DAY 7
Keep it short

Further reading

  • Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg)
  • The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
  • Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Confidence at Work lessons
Next lesson: Look Confident in Video Meetings →

More lessons in “Confidence at Work”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Share Credit and Claim YoursNext: Look Confident in Video Meetings →

  1. Prepare Your Three Stories
  2. Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Well
  3. Handle the Question You Fear
  4. Ask Great Questions Back
  5. Talk About Your Strengths Without Bragging
  6. Recover From a Bad Answer
  7. Follow Up With a Winning Note
  8. Speak in the First Ten Minutes
  9. Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting
  10. Disagree With a Colleague Kindly
  11. Handle Being Interrupted
  12. Share Credit and Claim Yours
  13. Speak Up in a Big Group
  14. Look Confident in Video Meetings
  15. Ask for Feedback Regularly
  16. Receive Criticism Without Crumbling
  17. Ask for a Raise With Evidence
  18. Share Ideas Without Fear
  19. Say No to Extra Work Politely
  20. Report Problems Early
  21. Show Your Value Every Month
  22. Introduce Yourself in a New Team
  23. Make Friends at Work
  24. Ask for Help Without Shame
  25. Handle a Difficult Colleague
  26. Stop Being the Office Pushover
  27. Celebrate Others and Be Celebrated
  28. Build Your Reputation Quietly
  29. Take on a Stretch Project
  30. Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  31. Lead Without a Title
  32. Give Your First Presentation
  33. Mentor Someone Newer
  34. Handle a Mistake at Work
  35. Set a Career Goal You Believe In
  36. Learn One New Skill Every Quarter
  37. Network Without Feeling Fake
  38. Say Yes to Opportunities That Scare You
  39. Protect Your Energy and Balance
  40. Your Confidence at Work Plan
Scroll to Top