Own the Room in Meetings

Stop Blending into the Wallpaper

Meetings suck when you feel invisible. IT folks often get stuck in the corner, nodding along while others hog the spotlight. You know the type: loudmouths who say nothing useful yet somehow get all the claps. Break that cycle. Walk in with a plan, not just a laptop. Speak early, even if it’s to ask a sharp question. Your voice carries weight when you use it. Don’t wait for permission to shine. Prep one killer point before the meeting starts. Nail it, then shut up.

Command Attention Without Yelling

Loud doesn’t equal powerful. Real control comes from clarity. Ditch the jargon nobody gets. Say what matters in half the words. Sit where people can see you, not by the coffee machine. Lean in when you talk, hold eye contact for two seconds longer than feels comfy. It’s not about being a jerk, it’s about showing you belong. Practice your opener in the mirror if you have to. Confidence isn’t born, it’s built.

Turn Nerves into Fuel

Everyone gets jittery before speaking up. That’s not weakness, it’s energy. Channel it. Take three slow breaths before you walk in. Stand up when you pitch an idea, it shifts the room’s focus. If your mind blanks, pause, sip water, then keep going. Nobody notices your sweat unless you act like they do. Picture the room nodding as you talk. Meetings are your stage, not your prison. Own them.

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