Be Loud – Speak More Softly

“Don’t be too direct, don’t be sharp, say maybe or if you agree, use a softer tone, be ambitious—but don’t be annoying.” Chances are you’ve encountered at least some of this advice during your professional career. And yes—most often, it’s directed at women.

This panel explores what happens when women begin speaking from a position of knowledge, experience, and responsibility, rather than adapting to expectations placed upon them. Through perspectives from the corporate sector, large public systems, and institutions shaping the economic framework, the discussion will address how to build authority without constant justification, the resistance women face along the way, and why an authentic, clear voice is essential for long-term influence on the decisions and systems we operate within.