Wes Kao · 7 min read · Productivity
I’m an introvert. This is how I get myself to speak up.
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This post from Wes offers practical strategies for introverts to speak up and gain visibility at work. It emphasizes deciding to share your point before a meeting, speaking early when possible, and supplementing verbal contributions with clear, written documents that articulate problems and solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Decide to speak before the meeting starts to avoid missing your window and to know when you’ll contribute.
- Aim to speak early in meetings, especially when you’re not the most senior, to ensure your point is heard.
- Share your ideas in writing with well-structured documents that outline the problem, costs, and potential solutions.
- Balance verbal and written contributions to navigate power dynamics and boost visibility.
Excerpt
👋 Hey, it’s Wes. Welcome to my bi-weekly newsletter on managing up, leading teams, and standing out as a high performer. Check out my intensive course on Executive Communication & Influence . You’ll learn alongside mid-career operators from Netflix, Stripe, Meta, Figma, Anthropic, etc. → Join the May 2026 cohort ⛑️ If you’re looking to dramatically improve your communication and leadership, learn more about 1:1 coaching . Read time : 6 minutes Subscribe and be the first to read future posts: I often get readers who ask, “Wes, if I’m not naturally loud, how do I speak up or talk…