I've always been the quiet one in the meeting room.

Not because I don't have ideas. Not because I'm not passionate. But because, as an introvert, my default is to listen, process, and only speak when I feel I have something meaningful to add. (And, let's be honest, sometimes I'm just trying to survive the onslaught of extrovert energy without getting swept away.)

But here's the thing: in a world that rewards the loudest voice, it's easy to feel invisible. To wonder if anyone even notices you're there, let alone values what you bring to the table.

I can't count the number of times I've left a meeting replaying the conversation in my head, wishing I'd spoken up sooner, or louder, or at all. I've watched my ideas get echoed by someone else - usually with more volume - and suddenly, everyone's nodding along. (Cue the internal facepalm.)

It's not that I want to dominate the room. I just want to be seen. To be heard. To know that my presence matters, even if I'm not the one filling the silence.

The Struggle to Take Up Space

Taking up space as an introvert doesn't come naturally. I've spent years making myself smaller - physically, emotionally, metaphorically - so I don't disrupt the flow or draw too much attention. I apologise for interrupting, even when I have something important to say. I wait for the perfect moment to chime in, which (spoiler alert) rarely comes.

But I've learned that being quiet doesn't mean being passive. And it definitely doesn't mean being invisible.

For more on taking up space as an introvert, check out my previous blog: Taking Up Space and Learning to Exist Unapologetically

Finding My Voice (Even When It Shakes)

The turning point for me was realising that my perspective is valuable - because I'm an introvert, not in spite of it. I notice things others miss. I connect dots in ways that aren't always obvious. I bring calm, thoughtfulness, and a different kind of energy to the room.

So, I started small. I set myself a goal to speak up at least once in every meeting, even if it was just to agree with a point or ask a clarifying question. I prepared notes ahead of time so I'd feel more confident sharing my thoughts. I reminded myself that my voice deserves space, too.

It wasn't easy. My heart still raced every time I unmuted myself on a call. But each time I speak, it gets a little less scary. And each time I'm heard, I remember that I do have something to offer.

Redefining Dominance

Being dominant in the workplace doesn't have to mean being the loudest or most forceful. For introverts, dominance can look like quiet confidence. It's the steady hand in a crisis, the thoughtful solution no one else considered, the ability to listen deeply and respond with intention.

I've learned to claim my space - not by shouting, but by showing up fully as myself. By trusting that my way of contributing is just as valid as anyone else's.

For My Fellow Quiet Souls

If you've ever felt overlooked, undervalued, or drowned out at work, you're not alone. Your voice matters, even if it's soft. Your presence is felt, even if you're not the center of attention. And you can be a force in your workplace - on your own terms.

So take up space. Speak up, even if your voice shakes. Let your work, and your quiet fire, do the talking.

You don't have to be loud to be heard. You just have to be you.

&