EP188: Pixie Dust Pep Talk - Your Voice Matters
DON’T WITHHOLD YOUR GIFTS
Your voice matters!
Enjoy!
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
There are moments in leadership when speaking up feels hard, scary, or uncertain. But here’s your reminder: your voice matters—even when it shakes.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to ask questions, to speak truth, to name what others are avoiding, and to share your opinions and beliefs, even when your voice trembles.
We often buy into the myth that the best leaders are loud, quick, and commanding—those with high red energy or an extroverted preference. But that’s just not true. Some of the most powerful leadership moments I’ve ever witnessed came from people whose hands were shaking and voices catching in their throats. That’s not weakness. That’s courage.
Leadership Comes in Many Forms
Impactful leaders come in all types—different personality preferences, strengths, and even barriers. I’ve felt the nerves myself, especially in rooms with people who had bigger titles or more experience. My heart would race, my mind would spiral with “what if I’m wrong?”—but I learned to speak up.
Many times, colleagues have told me they were glad I said something they were also thinking but didn’t know how to say. That’s when I realized: when you use your voice, you might be speaking for more than just yourself.
Why Nerves Show Up
If your voice shakes, it doesn’t mean you lack skill or credibility. It might come from:
A lack of confidence or self-belief
A past experience of being challenged or dismissed
Imposter syndrome
People-pleasing or perfectionism
Worrying about what others will think
Even your personality preferences can get in the way—maybe you like to process before speaking, or want everyone else to have airtime first. None of this is wrong. It’s simply worth exploring: What is getting in my way?
The Cost of Silence
One of my favorite reflection questions is: What is my team, my organization, or even the world missing out on when I don’t use my voice? Then ask: Does that cost outweigh my reasons for staying silent?
Often, the answer is no—and that can be your motivation to speak anyway.
A Simple Approach to Speaking Up
When you feel the nerves rise:
Pause—give yourself a moment to steady.
Breathe—anchor your energy.
Anchor in your why—remember why this matters in the bigger picture.
Take it one sentence at a time—you don’t need the whole speech mapped out.
When you speak up—shaky or not—you give silent permission for others to do the same. You show that courage doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.
What Do You Think?
Where are you holding back your voice?
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