How to Get Your Ideas Noticed (Without Being the Loudest in the Room)

When I shared the edition, Make People Feel Safe to Speak Up Even When They're Scared, several of you mentioned that being unsure if your insights mattered was the main reason you did not speak up in meetings.

Well…you’re not alone.

I’ve definitely been there myself and have seen it play out in real time.

I remember when a colleague, let’s call him Ryan, a technical expert, sat in executive meetings for months, second-guessing every insight he wanted to offer.

During a big product discussion, he almost held back again.

Instead, he shared a simple observation about user behavior that went against the conventional wisdom.

No drama. No apology. Just the insight.

Three weeks later the Senior Director was quoting him during the company all-hands.

Ryan was humble about it, but I saw the slight smile on his face.

Here’s the thing about impact: We think it’s about performance when it’s really about perception - your own.

Every time you filter your insights through self-doubt, you’re solving the wrong problem.

Observing people discover their voice over two decades teaches a valuable lesson:

We’ve confused being heard with being loud. 

Fact is: The most impactful voices often speak the least.

This hits home now more than ever.

With so much information coming at us, it’s hard to find real clarity. Working remotely also makes it more challenging to communicate and stay on the same page.

We’re often asked to make decisions quickly, and clear ideas help a lot.

So, to make sure the knowledge, observations, or ideas you share have a meaningful impact, try the SPEAK framework.

SPEAK stands for:

S - See Your Value: Recognize and articulate your unique contributions
P - Package Your Thoughts: Structure insights for maximum clarity
E - Engage with Purpose: Choose optimal moments for impact
A - Amplify Others: Build collaborative influence
K - Keep Building Trust: Maintain consistent credibility

Let's get it:

S - See Your Value

Think of this like auditing your expertise:

• Document specific experiences and insights that give you a unique perspective

• Track patterns you've noticed that others might miss

• Map out where your knowledge intersects with current challenges

• Build a clear inventory of your contributions and their impact

What undermines value: "Everyone probably knows this already"
What builds value: "My experience shows something important here"

Confidence begins with understanding what you bring to the table. When you see your value clearly, others will too.

P - Package Your Thoughts

Think of this like crafting a story:

• Structure key points in order of impact and relevance

• Strip away unnecessary context and jargon

• Create clear connections between insights and outcomes

• Build natural transitions between components

What dilutes impact: "Let me give you all the background first"
What strengthens it: "Here's what matters most about this"

Clarity makes your message stick. When your ideas are easy to follow, they’re impossible to ignore.

E - Engage with Purpose

Think of this like choosing your battles:

• Select moments where your insight adds maximum value

• Align your message with current priorities and pain points

• Consider audience readiness and resistance points

• Frame your input to serve specific outcomes

What wastes opportunity: "I should say something to be visible"
What creates impact: "This insight could help solve our current challenge"

The right idea shared at the right time creates momentum. Purposeful engagement is how you maximize your impact.

A - Amplify Others

Think of this like building a network of support:

• Connect your insights to others' contributions actively

• Show how different perspectives strengthen solutions

• Create space for others to build on your ideas

• Share credit generously and specifically

What limits influence: "My idea is better than theirs"
What expands it: "This builds on what the team has discovered"

Great leaders amplify the voices around them. Lifting others up strengthens your own influence.

K - Keep Building Trust

Think of this like making deposits in a relationship bank:

• Follow through consistently on commitments made

• Share updates that show progress and learning

• Admit mistakes and knowledge gaps openly

• Document and share the impact of implemented ideas

What erodes trust: "I'll figure it out somehow"
What builds it: "Here's exactly what I can deliver and when"

Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s built through consistency, accountability, and transparency.

Remember, it’s not about knowing everything—it’s about showing up thoughtfully and contributing in meaningful ways.

Keep at it, and you just might find:

• Increased engagement with your ideas

• More requests for your perspective

• Better implementation of your suggestions

• Stronger collaborative relationships

• Growing sphere of influence

Let’s see this in action:

Picture this: Instead of hesitating or over-apologizing:

• See Your Value: "My experience with user research shows a different pattern."

• Package Thoughts: "Three key user behaviors suggest we should adjust course."

• Engage with Purpose: Choose the strategy review, not random mentions.

• Amplify Others: "This builds on Marketing's earlier point about user needs."

• Keep Building Trust: Follow up with data supporting your observation.

The result: Your insight shapes the strategy, and team members actively seek your perspective.

POLL

Your insights aren't competing with others - they're competing with silence.

And silence serves no one who could benefit from your perspective.

Thanks for reading. Be easy!
Girvin 🫡

P.S. Hit reply and share a time when you almost held back but spoke up anyway. What made the difference?