The Secret to Getting People to Listen to You at Work
Has this ever happened to you? You speak up in a meeting, but no one seems to hear you? Then, five minutes later, someone else says the exact same thing, and suddenly, it’s brilliant? Wow, what?
I’ve been there. Not sure how it makes you feel, but I used to shrug it off, get quiet, then I got angry and called it out. Neither was a brilliant strategy although the latter made me feel a whole lot better. And sure, the world has its share of self absorbed a-holes, and they are going to do what they are going to do. But once I reflected on my part in being heard, and made some tweaks, everything got so much easier.
Being ignored and feeling dismissed is frustrating, and if it happens often enough, you start to wonder: Is it me? Am I invisible? Do I need to start every sentence with, “As I was JUST SAYING five minutes ago”?
But before you go full on Meryl-Streep-in-Devil-Wears-Prada, let’s talk about why this happens—and how you can change it, a-holes aside.
Because here’s what can be at play: people don’t listen just because you’re talking. They listen because of who they believe you are.
And the good news? You can shift that belief.
Why People Tune You Out (and How to Fix It)
Most of the time, being unheard at work isn’t about your ideas. It’s about how you’re presenting them. If people don’t perceive you as someone worth listening to, they’ll mentally check out before you even get to your main point.
Let’s break down the biggest reasons people might not be paying attention—and what to do instead.
Speak up, be heard, and own your voice—because your ideas matter.
You Don’t Sound Confident (Even If Your Idea is Solid)
Confidence isn’t about always knowing you’re right. It’s about owning your voice—even when you don’t have all the answers.
People pick up on hesitation. If you’re constantly prefacing your ideas with “I’m not sure, but…” or “This might not make sense…” you’re giving people permission to dismiss you before they’ve even heard what you have to say.
Fix It:
Start strong. Replace “I think maybe we should…” with “One approach that would work well is…”
Drop the qualifiers. No more “just,” “maybe,” or “I feel like…” Say it like you mean it.
Trust yourself. Even if you’re unsure, speak with conviction. You can always modify it later if needed.
You Over-Explain and Lose Their Attention
Ever start explaining something, watch people’s eyes glaze over, and think, Oh no, I lost them… better keep talking until I get them back!
Yeah, that doesn’t work.
People have short attention spans. If you take too long to get to the point, they’ll often just check out.
Fix It:
Lead with the headline. Instead of starting with “So I was thinking that maybe if we consider…” try “Here’s a strategy that could improve X.”
Less is more. If they need details, they’ll ask.
Practice summarizing your points in one sentence. If you can’t explain it quickly, they won’t retain it.
You Wait for Permission to Speak
Some people command attention the second they open their mouths. Others wait to be acknowledged. If you hesitate, lower your voice, or wait for the “perfect” moment, you’re making it easier for others to talk over you.
Fix It:
Speak up early in meetings. If you wait until the end, people have already decided whose voice they trust.
Own your space. Sit tall, plant your feet firmly, use eye contact, and enter conversations with confidence.
Practice speaking as if people are already listening. If you act like you’re worth listening to, others will pick up on it.
You’re Not Playing the Long Game
Here’s something no one tells you: People don’t just listen because of what you say in the moment—they listen because of who you’ve proven yourself to be over time.
If you’re consistently contributing valuable insights, staying steady, and showing up with clarity and confidence, people start expecting you to have something important to say.
And that’s when they start listening automatically. And even better, they ask what you think.
Fix It:
Be consistent. If you keep speaking up—even when it feels like no one is listening—you will get noticed.
Stay visible. Engage in conversations, offer insights, and be present.
Develop credibility. The more people trust you, the more they’ll listen when you talk.
Final Thoughts: They’ll Listen When You Believe They Should
At the end of the day, the way people respond to you starts with the way you respond to yourself.
If you hesitate, doubt yourself, or let other people’s interruptions throw you off, you’re signaling that your voice isn’t all that important. But when you own your space, speak with confidence, and trust your own voice, others will follow suit.
Your voice matters.
Make them listen.
Ready to Go Deeper? Let’s Work Together.
If you’re ready to finally get heard, get seen, and get ahead, I can help. My coaching packages are designed to help you show up with confidence, clarity, and presence—so people listen the first time. Work with me one-on-one to gain confidence and finally make that bold move you’ve been putting off.
🔗 Check out some examples of my coaching packages on my Work with Me Page or email me at carol@blazeyourtrailcoaching.com to discuss your unique needs.
And stay tuned for Pitch Perfect : A Masterclass in Perfecting the Perfect Pitch to Get Your Ideas Heard.
