Finding Confidence in High-Stakes Meetings

I’m Ruth Gamble, and I currently lead the consumer experience team at Deliveroo. I’ve spent the last few years building products and working with talented people, 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, where that challenge has never really gone away.

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

Why This Topic Matters

Speaking up in high-stakes meetings is something many of us find difficult, especially when we feel pressure to sound polished or prove ourselves. I still feel that tension. You want to speak with authority, but sometimes the stakes are high, the prep gets muddled in your mind, and the energy in the room can feel intimidating.

For me, finding my voice has meant building the confidence muscle, learning how to prepare better, listen more actively, and speak 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 really matters. Whatever qualifies as a high-stakes meeting for you, it might be two people or a hundred, it’s about how much the meeting matters to you. If you're nervous, try to reframe that emotion. Tell yourself, "I'm excited to contribute," rather than "I'm scared." You care, that’s why you feel this way.

If imposter syndrome shows up (and it often does), remind yourself that you were invited to this meeting for a reason. You belong in the room. Name your inner critic if it helps. I call mine "Doubtful Debbie." Acknowledge that voice, smile at it, and then move forward.

One thing that works for me is doing a power pose or using a power phrase before a meeting. Even a simple moment like looking in the mirror and saying, “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:

• Speak early. If 20 minutes pass and I haven’t spoken, it’s harder to jump in. So I try to say something early, even just a greeting or a comment to show I’m engaged.

• Use a simple framing. When I want to share an idea, I use this structure:
  “Based on [data or experience], I believe [insight or recommendation].”
  For example, “In user testing, 40% chose this option. I recommend simplifying the layout to support that behaviour.”

• Avoid minimising language. Don’t start with “Sorry” or “Just.” I’ve been guilty of saying, “Sorry, I just had a thought…” but you don’t need to apologise for contributing.

• Watch your tone and pacing. Speaking slowly and with intention helps your message land. Volume isn’t everything, clarity and emphasis are powerful.

• Eye contact and body language. Even in remote meetings, sitting up, breathing deeply, and looking at who last spoke can anchor you and create connection.

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. 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 or checking in via DM after the meeting can help quieter 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. Reflecting on those small victories builds 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.