Feeling alone in meetings? Here's a tip to help you speak up.

Dear I’m Over It, I understand your frustration. It can be exhausting to be the only one speaking up in meetings. We are often told that if we want something, we have to speak up and make our voices heard.

It seems like you have been designated as the spokesperson for your entire team. How are your meetings typically organized? Is your manager designating you as the Subject Matter Expert or Point of Contact?

Or are you voluntarily offering your input during meetings? If you have been assigned as the team lead for a particular meeting, then that may just be the role you have to fulfill. However, there is still hope!

If you have the opportunity to review the meeting agenda beforehand, you could take a look at what topics will be discussed. If you don't feel comfortable speaking up about a particular project, you could reach out to another member of the team to share the load and report out during the meeting. On the other hand, if you are naturally inquisitive and enjoy asking questions, I wouldn't discourage you from speaking up and being visible.

As a leader, I value diversity of thought and ideas in meetings. You could also encourage others to share their thoughts and opinions by asking for their input before sharing your own. For example, you could say something like, "I have some thoughts, but I'd love to hear what others think about ...XYZ?" This way, you are opening the floor for others to speak up, and the weight of the conversation won't solely be on your shoulders.

Lastly, I would suggest discussing your observations with your manager during a one-on-one meeting. You could ask for their thoughts on your level of participation in team meetings and whether they think it's appropriate. You could also suggest having a different Point of Contact report out during each meeting to give others a chance to shine.

Your manager may not have realized that you are feeling overwhelmed and may be open to making some changes. Remember, speaking up in meetings is great practice for advocating for yourself and your career. It's perfectly okay to delegate some of the responsibility to others.

Keep using your voice – not only in meetings but also in other leadership situations. You've got this! Best, Your Fairygodmentor® About Joyel Crawford: Joyel Crawford is an accomplished career and leadership development professional and the founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies.

Her consultancy empowers ambitious leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She is also a best-selling author, with her book "Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career." Do you have a question for Your Fairygodmentor®? Submit your career and leadership inquiries, whether it's about dealing with a micromanager, setting boundaries, negotiating for a higher salary, or managing burnout.

Don't hesitate to Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!