How to Give Your Opinion More Weight and Become Seen and Heard

Imagine: you’ve clearly articulated your position in a meeting. Everyone is listening. Nodding. And then, at the end, you say: "Well, that was just my opinion…". Minus weight. Minus focus. Minus influence. As if none of it mattered, and you were just there by accident. And said it "just because."

Why this phrase is a trap:

• You’re undermining your own words and devaluing yourself as an expert
• You’re preemptively apologizing for your viewpoint, and the listener picks up on your uncertainty
• You’re avoiding responsibility, and your doubts leave the audience confused

And if you yourself aren’t confident in what you’ve said—why should others be?

What to replace it with—to sound firmer but not harsh:

• "This is how I see it."
• "My perspective is this."
• "From this angle, it looks like this. Do you agree?"

The best option: "Based on my experience…" — and you’ve just reinforced that you’re a top-notch expert while advancing your idea.

This way, you’re not imposing but offering your perspective. But now from the position of a confident participant, not an apologetic observer.