Confident Conversations: 3 Ways New Managers Can Start Speaking Up
Posted on September 29, 2025 by Jonathan Holloran, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
Practical strategies to help new managers ask questions, share ideas, and engage with confidence starting today.
Speaking up as a new manager can feel intimidating, it often feels like everyone else knows the rules as you are just figuring them out.
That’s NORMAL!
Engaging with your boss or peers isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about paying attention, asking great questions, and showing your ability to contribute. This article will give you strategies you can start using right away to gain confidence when talking to your new peer group.
1. Take time to Learn
Notice what topics your boss emphasizes…budget numbers, customer experience, team morale, operational efficiency, or anything else. Also pay attention to which ideas they build on and which they cut off. This will give you a sense of their priorities and style.
- Identify priorities. If your boss keeps returning to speed of release or expresses concern over the cost of production, note that. You’ll begin to see how you can align your interactions.
- Engage with questions. If you feel the need to speak up or you are asked to before you feel ready, consider asking a questions instead of making a definitive statement. For example: if you are asked to weigh in on a new feature that you are unfamiliar with, “How do we see this feature attracting new clients?” The more it aligns with the priorities you identified, the better.
2. It’s okay to ask basic questions, just not the same question twice
Every manager was the new person once. You’re expected to ask basic questions. What’s appreciated most is when those questions don’t waste everyone’s time.
- Pick the right moment. If it’s a small detail, ask a peer offline. If it’s about strategy or decisions, bring it directly to your boss at the right time. Asking basic questions in large meetings can sometimes frustrate managers who are not part of the topic and just want to get back to work.
- Show curiosity. Instead of just asking, “How does this process work?”, try: “Do we have this process mapped out?" This way you are working to educate yourself before taking someone’s time.
- Capture answers. Build your own FAQ so you don’t repeat the same questions. This signals respect for everyone’s time and helps you build a foundation of knowledge.
3. Don’t Get Discouraged if Your Boss Pushes Back
At some point, you’ll suggest an idea that doesn’t land. Rejection stings, but it doesn’t mean your contribution was worthless, it’s part of learning how people think and make decisions. How you handle pushback let’s others know what kind of a manager you are.
- Reframe rejection as feedback. Ask: “What made you set that aside?” or “What challenges did we run into when we tried that before?”
- Seek guidance for the future. “How would you like me to approach ideas like this going forward?” This shows maturity and adaptability.
- Circle back later. If you refine your idea with better evidence or a fresh angle, bring it up again. Managers respect persistence when it’s thoughtful and not repetitive.
Final Thoughts
Confidence grows through consistent small steps and consistency leads trust. Over time, you’ll not only be more comfortable engaging, you’ll stand out as a person ready for bigger opportunities.
If you are a new software manager looking for help getting confident engaging with your peers or boss, make sure to book a free consultation to see how I can help you!
