Apprentices: 5 Quick Wins to Speak Up, Be Heard, and Build Real Confidence at Work

“What if I sound stupid?”

It’s the thought that sneaks in just before you open your mouth - and the one that makes you stay quiet instead.
You’ve got something to say, but that tiny voice whispers, “Don’t - what if it comes out wrong?”
So you hold back, and the moment passes.

Every apprentice knows that feeling.
You want to be confident, to sound professional, to show you belong - but sometimes the nerves win.
That voice doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It just means you care.

Confidence isn’t about silencing that voice; it’s about learning to speak anyway.

Here are five quick wins to help you speak up, be heard, and build real confidence at work - even when you’re the newest person in the room.

1. Notice What Confidence Looks Like Around You

Confidence doesn’t just appear - it’s modelled.

Think about the people in your team who always seem calm and clear when they talk. They’re not necessarily louder or smarter - they just sound sure.

Watch how they do it.
How do they start a point?
Do they pause first?
Do they use short sentences?
What helps them sound confident?

Notice the impression they create when they speak - calm, clear, and credible.
That’s what people remember.
You don’t need to copy them, but you can borrow what works.

Next time you hear that “What if I sound stupid?” voice, take a breath and use one of their habits - slow down, make your point clearly, and stop when you’ve said enough.
You’ll sound more confident before you even realise it.

🗝️ Confidence often begins by seeing what it looks like - and finding your own version of it.

2. Practise Speaking in Small, Safe Ways

You can’t think your way into confidence; you have to practise it.

Start small.

Offer a short update in a team meeting.
Ask a question that moves the conversation forward.
Summarise what the group just decided.

Every time you do, you prove that speaking up isn’t as risky as it feels.
And every time you prove that, the “What if I sound stupid?” voice gets a little quieter.

💬 Confidence doesn’t grow in silence - it grows in moments of courage.

3. Redefine “Getting It Wrong”

Everyone gets things wrong sometimes - even the people who look confident all the time.
The difference is, they don’t let it stop them trying again.

If something doesn’t go perfectly, resist the urge to replay it in your head.
Instead, ask yourself: What did I learn? What would I try differently next time?
That’s what confident people do - they learn out loud.

When you replace “I messed up” with “I learned something,” you turn every awkward moment into progress.
And progress, not perfection, is what builds confidence.

🔁 You don’t build confidence by being flawless - you build it by being brave enough to try again.

4. Use Words That Sound Like You (and Mean Them)

Confidence isn’t about pretending to be someone else.
It’s about sounding sure in your own voice.

Try simple openers that help you join a discussion naturally:

“Can I add something here?”
“I’ve been thinking about this…”
“One thing I’ve noticed is…”

They’re polite, professional, and they work.
You’ll come across as thoughtful and calm - not rehearsed, not forced.
That kind of professionalism leaves a strong impression - not because you’re perfect, but because you’re respectful and real.

🗣️ You don’t need to shout to be heard - you just need to sound like you mean it.

5. Keep Track of Your Wins

Confidence fades when you forget how far you’ve come.
So make a small habit: at the end of the week, write down one thing you did that took courage.

Maybe you asked a question in front of senior people.
Maybe you presented your work.
Maybe you just spoke up once when you normally wouldn’t.

Those small wins matter.
Look back on them when doubt creeps in - they’re proof that you’re growing.
It’s a simple habit that builds resilience and keeps your mindset positive, even on tough days.

And each time you reflect, you quiet that voice that says, “What if I sound stupid?”
Because now you have evidence that you’re not.

A Final Thought

Confidence isn’t a switch you flip - it’s something you practise, moment by moment.
You’ll still have days when that voice appears, but now you’ll know what to do with it.
A deep breath. A small step. A few words said anyway.

That’s how real confidence builds - not by waiting until you’re ready, but by starting before you are.

📘 Want to Build Confidence That Lasts?

Our Personal Impact course is designed for apprentices, early-career professionals, or anyone who just needs a bit of a confidence boost.

It helps you communicate clearly, project credibility, and make an impact at work - with practical tools for building confidence that feels natural, not forced.

It’s part of a wider series of people development programmes that also explore:

• Personal Resilience – how to stay calm, confident, and balanced under pressure.
• Assertiveness and Influencing – how to express yourself confidently and influence others effectively.

Because when you build your personal impact, you don’t just grow confidence - you build the foundation for stronger communication, relationships, and resilience at every stage of your career.

👉 Explore Personal Impact Training

About the Author

Emma-Jane Haigh

Leadership and People Development Specialist, Executive Coach, and Facilitator. Emma-Jane designs and delivers training that helps managers and teams strengthen communication, build resilience, and lead with confidence. At Underscore, she runs leadership, management, and project management programmes focused on practical skills and real workplace impact.