I ALMOST DIDN'T SPEAK UP, BUT I'M GLAD I DID

Some years back, during a team meeting, I noticed something was not quite right in the direction we were heading. I saw a gap, one that could cause unnecessary stress or confusion later.

But I kept quiet.

Not because I didn’t care, but because I was scared. I had stage fright. And I was afraid that I wouldn’t communicate it the right way. I didn’t want to sound unsure or clumsy, or worse, be misunderstood.

By the way, I communicate better in writing than I speak, which sometimes does not work well in situations where you are expected to speak up or speak out. That day was one of those times.

So for a few minutes, I stayed silent.

But the discomfort in my heart wouldn’t let me settle.

With a deep breath and shaky confidence, I finally spoke up. Gently. Respectfully. I shared what I saw, not to criticize, but to protect the outcome and support the team.

And to my surprise, people listened.

Not only was the concern valid, but it sparked an honest and solution-focused conversation. Together, we found a much better approach, one we all felt good about.

That moment taught me something I won’t forget. Your voice matters, even when it is shaky, and especially when it’s honest.

So don't hold back because of fear. Go ahead and speak up anyway.

You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be sincere. You never know who is silently hoping someone like you will say what they are too afraid to.