The Power of Speaking Your Truth in Business and Beyond
“There is only one thing more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking.”
– Audre Lorde
In business, and especially in women-led spaces, this quote resonates deeply.
Many of us have felt that tremor of hesitation before speaking up in a meeting, I know we all have, sharing an idea, or introducing ourselves to a room full of strangers. It’s that familiar fear of being too much, too little, or somehow not enough. But Lorde’s words remind us that the greater fear, the one that erodes confidence and opportunity over time, is the silence that follows when we hold ourselves back. How often do you hold yourself back?
Why We Stay Silent
From an early age, women are often socialized to be agreeable, to smooth the edges, to make everyone else comfortable before ourselves. In the business world, that conditioning can manifest as hesitance; hesitance to raise prices, to challenge a client, to claim credit, or to promote our work. We tell ourselves we’re being polite, but too often, we’re actually being quiet at the expense of our own growth.
Silence can feel safe, but it’s a false comfort. When we don’t speak our truth, our needs, our opinions, our expertise – we create a gap between who we are and how we show up. That gap eventually turns into frustration, burnout, or self-doubt. In networking, it might mean missing out on collaborations or referrals simply because we didn’t voice what we truly wanted.
Speaking Your Truth is a Business Skill
Speaking your truth doesn’t mean being loud, forceful, or confrontational. It means being authentic. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing what you stand for and expressing it with clarity. In business, this authenticity becomes magnetic – it draws in the right clients, collaborators, and mentors who align with your values.
When you tell your story of how you started, what you care about, why your work matters – you give others permission to connect with you on a human level. That’s where trust begins, and in any business network, trust is the foundation of everything.
The Ripple Effect in Networking
In a women’s networking group, every voice contributes to the collective strength of the room. When one woman speaks up, it encourages another to do the same. Over time, the culture shifts from competition to collaboration, from self-doubt to mutual support.
Imagine walking into a networking event where everyone feels safe enough to share their truth: their wins, their struggles, their lessons learned. That kind of honesty builds genuine relationships, not just business transactions. It transforms a group of professionals into a community. We feel that Ladies That Do is the closest to this description of any networking group we have ever experienced.
How to Start Speaking Up
If speaking your truth feels daunting, start small:
- Practice in safe spaces. Begin by sharing your ideas in supportive circles, like your networking group. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
- Know your values. When you’re clear on what matters most, it’s easier to speak from conviction rather than fear.
- Reframe fear. Instead of seeing fear as a stop sign, view it as proof that what you’re about to say is meaningful.
- Celebrate your voice. Every time you speak up, whether it’s pitching a client or introducing yourself confidently, acknowledge that courage.
And…
Speaking your truth is not just about communication – it’s an act of leadership. It’s how we create visibility, inspire change, and set an example for those who come after us. Silence may feel safe in the moment, but over time, it costs us opportunities, confidence, and connection.
So, the next time your heart races before you speak, remember Audre Lorde’s wisdom: there is only one thing more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking. The world, especially the world of women in business, needs your voice, exactly as it is.
Give it a go at our next meeting and see how you feel, see the response you receive, see the support visibly around you. If you are still unsure, any one of us on the leadership team will be happy to coach you through your ideal, and truthful, 60 seconds.
Thank you for reading this month’s blog, The Power of Speaking Your Truth in Business and Beyond.
Kelly, Kelly, and Chloe,
Ladies That Do Networking