Finding Confidence in High-Stakes Meetings

I’m Ruth, and I lead the Experience team across Restaurant, Delivery & Care at Deliveroo. I’ve spent 15 years building products and working with talented people, the last 4 years at Deliveroo, and in that time, I’ve found myself in many high-pressure meetings with executives and senior stakeholders. These experiences have made me think a lot about how to find and use my voice effectively in those spaces, especially as a woman in tech.

I don’t believe that being confident means being the loudest or the most extroverted. I believe it’s about being clear, intentional, and knowing that your voice and opinions matter. I wanted to share what’s helped me show up more confidently, and hopefully, it can help others, too.

Why This Topic Matters

Feeling comfortable speaking up in high-stakes meetings is something many of us find difficult, especially when we feel pressure to sound polished, knowledgeable or prove ourselves. You want to speak with authority, but sometimes the nerves take over, the prep gets muddled in your mind, and the energy in the room can feel intimidating, and before you know it, the moment has passed.

For me, finding my voice has meant building the confidence muscle. By accepting that preparation is key, learning new ways to prepare better, active listening and how to make my point more clearly. It's a continuous process, and not something that comes naturally without effort. Confidence isn't about having all the answers or sounding perfect. It's about showing up as yourself and communicating your perspective in a way that helps move the conversation forward.

Preparing Your Mindset

First, mindset matters. If you're nervous, try to reframe that emotion. You care, that’s why you feel this way. Tell yourself, "I'm excited to contribute, rather than 'I'm scared."

If imposter syndrome shows up, remind yourself that you were invited to this meeting for a reason. You belong in the room. If your inner critic also appears, name it… something like,"Doubtful Debs. This helps to acknowledge that voice, the doubt, and move forward.

One thing that works for me is saying a ‘power phrase’ or reading an affirmation before a meeting. Just something simple like, “I’m prepared.” “My ideas matter” can shift your energy.

What to Do Inside The Meeting

Once you're in the meeting, there are a few tactics I use to stay grounded:

1. Speak early. If 20 minutes pass and I haven’t spoken, it’s harder to jump in. I try to say something early, even just a greeting or a comment. This is especially helpful if you are remote, in a large meeting where it's difficult to “see” everyone in the room.

2. Lean on this simple framing I use when I want to share an idea! 

   “Based on [data or experience],
   I believe [insight or recommendation].”

   An example is, “In user testing, 40% chose this option. I recommend simplifying the layout to support that behaviour.”

   I like this framing as it's easy for others to follow, which helps me to sound polished and communicate the point quickly. As it is based on evidence, it also implies knowledge.

3. Avoid self-minimising language when you speak. Do not start with “Sorry…” or worse, “I might be wrong, but...” No. You don’t need to apologise for contributing or speaking.

4. Watch your pacing. Speaking a little slower, with intention and allowing space for your point to be heard, helps your message land. Clarity and emphasis are powerful.

5. If you work with the same people often, you might ask someone you trust to back you up in the meeting or be a quiet ally. If this person knows your style and that you are actively working on your confidence, a little moral support can go a long way.

Helping Others Find Their Voice

As leaders, we also need to create environments where others can speak up. Psychological safety is key. If I'm running a team meeting or a design critique, I try to make sure everyone knows what to expect beforehand and has a moment to share their view, even if it’s async.

Things like sharing agendas in advance, using Google Meet comments for async conversation or feedback can help all team members feel included. Not everyone is comfortable speaking up in real-time, and that’s okay. Offering different avenues to contribute makes space for a wider range of voices.

One last tip: start a wins journal. Write down when you spoke up and how it went. When you found your voice and the outcome. Reflecting on those small wins will build your confidence over time.

Thank you to Ruth Gamble for generously sharing her honest reflections, practical strategies and hard-won lessons on finding your voice in high-stakes meetings. If you are a Flux member with lessons, insights or strategies to support others in our community, we’d love to hear from you.