As South Africans, Human Rights Day is more than just a public holiday. It's a powerful reminder that your voice is not only your right but your greatest asset.

But what happens when you struggle to find that voice?

Have you ever stayed silent during a crucial conversation because you were worried you’d be judged or misunderstood? Do you often worry about being misunderstood, overlooked, or not sounding "smart enough"?

If you answer is yes, you’re definitely not alone.

Why you hesitate to speak up

Fear. Anxiety. The worry of being judged. These emotions stop even the smartest, most capable people from speaking clearly and confidently.

But here's the thing:
These fears are normal. They’re part of being human. It has been said that “Human beings buy on emotion and justify with logic.” Similarly, we hold ourselves back because of emotion and then justify that hesitation logically afterward.

How can you overcome this hesitation?
You tap into what Tony Robbins calls the "2mm shift": small changes that produce massive impact.

Here's your shift:
Instead of focusing on yourself — "Am I smart enough?" or "Will they laugh?"—shift your focus to serving the person you're speaking to. Ask yourself, “How can my words help or serve the person listening right now?”

This simple mindset switch immediately reduces anxiety and lets your true voice shine through.

The Quick Confidence-Booster Technique

Ready for a practical tip that instantly boosts your speaking confidence?

It’s called “The Clarity Pause.”

• Before you speak, pause.
• Take a quiet, deep breath and mentally repeat:
  “I know exactly what I’m here to say and they need to hear it.”

This pause is magic. It allows you to collect your thoughts, ensures your message is crystal clear and projects calm confidence, no matter how nervous you feel inside.

Try it once and you'll never speak without it again.

How Owning Your Voice Can Transform Your Relationships

Communication isn’t just about words. It’s about connection.

Think of someone you admire. Chances are that part of that admiration comes from their ability to clearly and confidently communicate their ideas.

When you step into your voice and share openly, something powerful happens:

• Professionally: You become memorable. Your colleagues respect you. Opportunities find you because you've made your value clear.
• Personally: Your relationships deepen. People feel understood by you, heard by you and closer to you because you've had the courage to speak up authentically.

In short, when you step into your voice, you don't just communicate — you connect.

And connection is the foundation of influence, impact and success.

This Human Rights Day, commit to exercising your right to speak clearly and boldly. Because your voice isn’t just powerful — it’s essential.

Stay tuned for Part 2 on Friday, Human Rights Day, where you'll discover powerful stories of South Africans who changed history simply by having the courage to speak up — even when it was uncomfortable or risky — and how their example can inspire you to find your voice.