An introvert’s guide to speaking up in meetings

Facilitating meetings has been a major component of my career. As a consultant, I have hosted multi-day product strategy workshops at various client sites. As a UX Strategist, I have facilitated design-thinking workshops, meetings, and requirements gathering sessions. And in my current role as Senior Program Manager in UX Operations at Vanguard, I facilitate both small meetings with the senior UX leadership team and department meetings with over 200 people. From the outside, I probably come across as this cool, outgoing social butterfly. Well, I’m going to let you in on a secret: I am the opposite of those things. I am introspective, nervous, and shy. Facilitation is probably the scariest part of my job. All eyes are on me. I must respond quickly at times when I would prefer to sleep on it. There are so many unknowns and factors out of my control; what if I get a question that I can’t answer? Honestly, I have these same fears even as a meeting attendee. In a technical requirements meeting for example, being able to both process the information and provide an articulate response within moments intimidates me. <h1>Speaking up is scary but rewarding</h1> Despite these fears, I push through because facilitation is a valuable skill. It sharpens my public speaking skills and ability to improvise. It helps me build relationships and positions me as a leader. Actively participating in meetings is valuable as well. When I am fully engaged in the conversation, I have a better understanding of the topic and feel more confident speaking up. As a result, stakeholders and non-UX peers see me as a strategic partner and include me in additional conversations. <a href="https://medium.com/vanguard-ux/an-introverts-guide-to-speaking-up-in-meetings-c9a590c5cdda">Click Here</a>