Communication Confidence: How to Speak Up, Be Heard, and Advocate for Yourself
Laura Thorburn, M.S., CCC-SLP
Communicating with confidence is one of the most valuable skills professionals can develop. Whether you're navigating high-stakes meetings, presenting to leadership, or advocating for a new idea, strong communication can be the difference between being heard—and being overlooked.
At Expressable, we’ve coached thousands of adults across industries to help them speak with greater clarity, control, and impact. When you learn how to build communication confidence, you can show up with purpose, influence, and presence—every time you speak.
Why confident communication matters at work
Confident communicators tend to:
Get their points across clearly and efficiently
Inspire trust and credibility
Stay calm and collected in high-pressure moments
Speak up for their needs and ideas
In the workplace, communication confidence supports stronger leadership, better teamwork, and more effective problem-solving. You don’t have to be loud or extroverted to be confident. You just need to trust your voice and know how to use it.
How to advocate for yourself at work
Self-advocacy is an essential part of communication confidence. It means identifying what you need to succeed, then having the courage to speak up for it.
Advocating for yourself is especially important for people who stutter or find certain speaking situations stressful. Your voice deserves to be heard.
Here’s how to practice self-advocacy at work:
Ask for what you need. Whether you’re asking for clarification, more resources, or time to gather your thoughts, speaking up helps you do your best work. Your confidence grows when you advocate for the conditions that allow you to succeed.
Join a professional community. Networking can feel intimidating, but connecting with others in your industry builds confidence. Organizations like Toastmasters International offer structured ways to practice and improve your public speaking, with plenty of support.
You don’t have to be loud or extroverted to be confident. You just need to trust your voice and know how to use it.
Educate others. Help other people understand your experience. This can make communication easier and create stronger relationships. For example, if you stutter, sharing resources from The Stuttering Foundation is a great way to start conversations and break down myths.
Prepare for key moments. If you're heading into a presentation or important meeting, preparation is a form of advocacy. Practice out loud, anticipate questions, and remind yourself of your strengths.
4 confidence-building habits for professionals
Like any skill, communication improves with practice. Here are some habits that will help you look and feel more confident.
1 Practice with a mirror
Spend two minutes a day speaking in front of a mirror. Focus on your posture, eye contact, and voice strength.
2 Record and reflect
Record yourself explaining a project or answering a common work question. Listen back to identify what went well and where to improve.
3 Use positive self-talk
Start your day with affirmations like:
“I am clear and confident.”
“I communicate with purpose.”
“My voice adds value.”
4 Try improv or speaking workshops
Try out improv exercises, or attend a professional speaking workshop. You’ll learn to be more adaptable and respond confidently in the moment.
For more ways to build executive presence and professional speaking skills, check out this Harvard Business Review article on effective communication.
Expert coaching on your schedule
Work with a licensed speech therapist on a personalized plan to improve your professional communication skills.
Find a speech therapistWorking with a speech therapist to improve your communication
Why work with a speech therapist on confident communication? A speech therapist, also known as a speech-language pathologist, is a licensed professional with expertise in all aspects of speech, language, and communication. When you work with a speech therapist, they can address the physiological elements of speech (such as voice, articulation, or fluency) as well as any psychological aspects (such as confidence in communicating or fear of public speaking) that may be affecting your ability to convey your message.
At the start of your coaching sessions, your speech therapist will perform a clinical evaluation to rule out any speech and language diagnoses. Speech therapy sessions are tailored for each individual and what they want to accomplish. Your speech therapist will work with you to develop goals that are personalized to your needs. Then, in each session, you’ll learn tools and techniques related to those goals.
You can learn more about Expressable's professional communication program in this guide.
Keep practicing, keep progressing
Confidence isn’t about always having the perfect words. It’s about being willing to show up, speak up, and trust that what you have to say matters. Each conversation is a chance to practice what you’re learning from your speech therapist.
Over time, you’ll notice changes:
More clarity in your responses
Greater comfort in meetings and presentations
A growing sense of self-assurance
Take the first step toward confident communication
Communication confidence isn’t built overnight, but with consistent support and the right strategies, it can grow stronger each day. Whether you're preparing for a big presentation, navigating team dynamics, or simply want to feel more at ease when speaking, you don’t have to do it alone.
Contact Expressable to get matched with a licensed speech therapist who specializes in professional communication. We offer personalized, one-on-one virtual coaching that’s tailored to your needs and fits your schedule.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
