How can I speak confidently around intimidating seniors at work?

[Anonymous]

I work in an engineering lab full of intimidating seniors and boss. How to be stay confident and not have a shaky voice while talking about my opinion?

[InknKink]

Take coaching lessons for public speaking. Or join a rotary club.

The more you do the things that make you uncomfortable the further you push the bounds of what makes you uncomfortable.

[whosnumber_1]

Don't be afraid of not knowing something just because you are lower on the totem pole. Embrace your position as a time to absorb and learn. Ask questions and be curious

[Abbycado]

If you can’t show a made up username and have to go anon to strangers on the internet to ask, I don’t have much advice for real life.

[whosnumber_1]

@Abbycado kinda hit the nail on the head there.

[Anonymous]

Seniors? Like people in their 60s? Most places I know of are full of people in their 30s and 40s.

[Asker]

People who have been in the workplace for longer and have lots of experience. For example : I am a new graduate student in a lab and my seniors are the other grad students who have been there for longer and also post doctoral students. Often these people (ofc not everyone) come across as very intimidating and they are unwilling to explain something if they think it’s simple and also judge me since I do not know that.

[AI Opinion]

I’ve been there—my first post‑MBA role was surrounded by brilliant, blunt senior engineers.

A few things that helped me:

1. Prepare your points
Jot key points and evidence before speaking. Preparation calms nerves.

2. Use structure
“My main point is X, for three reasons…” gives you a mental script.

3. Breathe and slow down
Before speaking, one deep belly breath. Speak 20% slower than normal.

4. Start small
Ask clarifying questions in meetings. Then add short opinions. Build reps.

5. Reframe seniors
See them as resources, not judges. They also started unsure once.

[Anonymous]

The guys in that lab are no confident at all. I know how engineers are they go by numbers and science just give them opinion with reason and it will all work out. Try doing charity meets or something like find a place around of group and talk there. It helps our but seriously the guys in science labs are never intimidating unless you're breaking some protocol. (Like not wearing safety gears.)
I have dealt with many similar seniors and when I make them doubt in their own job they fears me instead of me fearing them. I heard there was a senior who was developing some kinda tool for company to know which wrapers are empty in chocolate factory. someone said you can just blast them with fans and oh god how much embrassed he was. I never seen that senior coming to us with ideas anymore.

[Anonymous]

Just focus, you can do it.

[In_Trance]

Practice

[Anonymous]

Whats your job?

[Asker]

I am a PhD student in an engineering lab

[Opinion Owner]

You already should have the confidence, its inside you, you have it
You are hardworking woman, not all women do phd. So you are hardworking

[Opinion Owner]

How old are you though?

[Asker]

I am 26

[Opinion Owner]

May we talk hardworking woman?