My boss says...?

Question

that I should speak up more at meetings. I was kinda embarassed when he brought this up. I've been working hard, and he def likes me and my work. But I just started this job (3 weeks ago) so obviously its hard to speak up at meetings for projects that were started more than 3 weeks ago. Can someone please offer me some encouragement? I do have a bit of an inferior complex, so its hard for me to be vocal. THANKS SO MUCH.

Answer 1

first off you need to know the facts.
do your homework.
next meeting clear your throat and then just give your opinion.
after a couple of times, you boss wont be able to shut you up.

Answer 2

I think it is normal considering you are a newbie in the company. I have experienced the same "inferiority" as you do when I first started my job.
my suggestion is to look things from the bright side.
You can start doing so by building up your relationship with your co-workers as well as your boss such that you will feel comfortable to be around and work with them. This way, you will hopefully promote your confidence in speaking up during any meetings since you have already had that comfort zone surrounding them.
Another suggestion, as what donald trump says it's nothing personal it's just business. Don't take things too personally when the critics are harsh and unpleasant because bad things happen at work. Just don't get them into your nerve and maintain profesionalism. Lastly, try to be more proactive though you don't have that kind of experience as the old staff have.
Keep on going ;)

Answer 3

If you're like me and shy to speak in front of people you don't know... as one person suggested do your homework and learn about the project they're working on that started before you began working there. And then work on your confidence by standing in front of a mirror. Think of a topic they've talked about at a meeting before and verbalize out loud looking at the mirror and making an answer/suggestion. Trust me this really works! It's a type of visualization you can do and visualize the outcome and what other people are commenting to what you've said.
After you've done this a few times it'll come as natural to you as talking to your best friend.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

be prerared for such meetings and be among those first to speak once the session is open for discussion. This way at least your voice is heard before other will speak all the good/obvious points and you don't have any more interesting to say. Do not be too uptight, after all they just want everyone to express their opinion. Whatever you say may not count in the end but they just want everyone to participate in a "team" spirit.

Answer 5

Your boss likes you and he likes your work. You are new to the company so you are feeling a little hesitant to talk about projects that were started prior to you. Now you know your boss wants to hear more from you. In order to be able to speak up and share your ideas with others, you should work on your self confidence. Work on your self confidence and it will be much easier to speak up. Eventually it will be easy for you to talk at company meetings.

To start working on your self esteem you might want to try saying self affirmations out loud to yourself daily. On your way to work you could say something like "I am smart. I am intelligent. My boss likes my work and values my input. The company needs me. I will speak up and share my ideas today". The harder it is to say stuff like that (and believe it), the more you need to work on your self confidence.

There are many books available to help with confidence and positive thinking.

You're smart. You will go far. Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

Try asking questions since you really do not have enough information to contribute at this time. It is a bit unfair of your boss to suggest you speak up more since you are so new.

If he mentioned this though, he wants you to be a success at your job. It sounds as if he really likes you and wants other people to know who you are.

Answer 7

He is trying to encourage you, I think. Unless you know the subject, it's better not to speak up. You can verbalize agreement or disagreement in a word or so from your chair, or ask intelligent questions.

Answer 8

speak up dosnt always mean correct someone or suggest something new, If theres something that you are curious about or nobody has bothered to explain and you need to know ask a question or two and after you know more about whats going on you can start makeing suggestions and correcting problems you see.