Stage 4 · Lesson 2 of 7

Speak in the first ten minutes

The longer you wait to speak in a meeting, the harder it gets: the topic moves on and the silence grows. Aim to say something in the first ten minutes, even something small: a question, agreeing with a point and adding a detail, or summarising what you heard.

Once you have spoken once, speaking again is easier. Read the agenda beforehand and prepare one point for one item. If the meeting is fast, it is fine to say "Can I add something to the earlier point?"

Common trapwaiting for the perfect contribution, which arrives after the meeting ends.

A question to check yourself and an AI practice session come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

Resources for this stage

Start with

GuideFree
GitLab Handbook: Communication
GitLab
Practical rules for meetings, video calls and written follow-ups in a remote team

Practise

Soft Skills Engineering
Podcast answering real questions about speaking up and working with people in tech

Keep handy

Loom
Record a short video update when a meeting slot is not enough or time zones clash
One on One Meeting Questions
Questions to raise with your manager when meetings are hard to speak up in

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).