Think about a meeting you have been in with a large group of people. A question came up for you, but you hesitated to ask it. What happened in that moment? For some, they may assume that everyone else probably knows the answer and they are embarrassed to ask, so they keep quiet. For others, it may mean that they don’t want to stand out by asking the question, so they don’t say anything and choose to ask someone else later.
In both of these scenarios, it is a question of being confident enough to be visible in a room of people. So much comparison occurs in these situations. It becomes an internal battle of when to stand out and when to stay hidden. The fear that you feel will keep you as safe, but it also prevents others from seeing the value that you bring.
What if you asked that question and it sparked a new line of thinking that made for a rich conversation that wouldn’t have otherwise happened? What if you assume that others in the room have the same question? Would you be the leader and ask it on their behalf? Sometimes it easier to take the lead to support other people if you have fear to do it yourself. How will you be visible for yourself and for others in your next meeting?