When we're the least experienced person in the room it's easy to experience a crisis of confidence; we often shy away from speaking up out of fear of revealing our status.
If we can get past our self-doubt, we can turn these moments into opportunities to shine and elevate ourselves in the presence of decision-makers.
We asked 8 successful businesswomen and everywomanClub members to share with us their tips for making an impact:
Karen Gill – Co-founder, everywoman
It's important to remember that your place at the table is valid – you've been invited for a reason, to make a contribution, air your opinions and be part of the discussion. Use your position as the most junior person in the room as one of strength; you'll often have a completely different perspective on the problem being discussed to the more senior people, and that can really help the discussion. Also, remember that everyone else in the room was once a junior.
Ruth Huddleston – Author and Publishing Consultant
Know your facts and make sure when you speak it’s to add something genuinely new to the debate. Someone who has done the homework but can also think creatively around the task is always an asset in a room. Show-offs are a waste of everyone’s time and energy. Conversely, if you know something you think needs to be brought to bear, speak up.
Anna Lee – Co-founder, Storm watches
Research the area that you are working on to see what could be done to improve its performance, or research the competition to see what they are doing – all helpful intelligence to bring to the meeting. Using initiative like this goes a long way and can be applied in so many ways. It shows that you want to be really involved in the work that you are doing and will make you stand out over others.
Jacqueline de Rojas – Non-Executive Director, Home Retail Group; Board Member, techUK
The art of the question is perhaps the best way of making yourself significant. Practice ways of being inquisitive in a way which promotes great debate and strategic thinking.
Nicola Sangwin – Founder, Amethyst London Ltd
Look elegant but stand out – bright colours always work. Research and prepare questions in advance. Look interested! Make sure you have a new idea to propose.
Laura Reeves – Managing Director, Caremark MidSurrey
Be prepared to show your enthusiasm for taking on challenging projects and don’t worry about asking ‘silly questions’; everyone else is probably wondering the same thing – they just don't like to show they don’t know the answer.
Katrina Roberts – Vice President – Head of European Technologies, American Express
Be prepared – decide what you want to say in advance whenever possible. Listen as much as you talk and judge the tone in the room to help you position yourself. Don’t feel you have know all the answers – if someone asks you something and you don’t know, say you’ll follow it up rather than bluff it. Find allies – there will be senior colleagues you feel a connection with, so work on building those relationships offline so they become supporters when you need them. Understand what you can contribute that plays to your natural strengths and makes those senior colleagues achieve the outcomes they need.
Lyn Grobler – VP and CIO for Corporate Functions, BP
Sit at the middle of the table, not on the outer edges. At the start of the meeting, stand up and greet people; don't just sit there checking your emails. Find a reason to get your voice heard early in the meeting. Learn from others – listen to what your senior leaders have to say and make a note of their style. Do they ask questions? Do they suggest solutions? Do they step back and look at how what you are discussing could affect a bigger group? Compare that to what you are doing; what can you learn?
