Surviving the Dutch meeting: How to speak with confidence 

For an expat, the Dutch meeting room is often where imposter syndrome flares brightest. The pace is fast, the feedback is blunt, and you’re often trying to articulate complex ideas in your second (or third) language. 

You know you are smart. But when you speak, you feel like you sound simpler than you are. You hesitate, and by the time you’ve formulated the perfect sentence, the conversation has moved on. Meanwhile, your Dutch colleague has just interrupted the director to say, “I don’t agree with that plan at all.” 

Your confidence plummets. How can you increase your personal effectiveness when you feel so intimidated? 

You must stop fearing the “Dutch directness” and learn to use the rules of the game to your advantage. 

1. Reframe “Directness” as “Clarity.” When a colleague says, “This is not a good idea,” they are not attacking you. They are attacking the idea. They are inviting a debate to make the idea stronger. Your silence is seen as agreement, not politeness. 
2. Use “Playback” to Buy Time. When you feel put on the spot, don’t rush an answer. Use a powerful tool: repeat their point back to them. “So, what I hear you saying is that the budget is the main concern. Is that correct?” This confirms you’re listening, gives your brain time to catch up, and makes you look thoughtful. 
3. Prepare Your “Island of Expertise.” You cannot improvise in a foreign language as well as you can in your native tongue. Don’t try to. Before a big meeting, identify the 1-2 points where you are the expert. Write down your key phrases. This is your “island” of pure confidence to speak from. 

You Have the 3 Steps. Are You Ready to Take the First One? 

You’ve read the guide. You know how to handle a direct question. But theory is one thing. Practice is another. 

• Does your throat still tighten when you want to interrupt? 
• Are you second-guessing your phrasing, afraid of a cultural misstep? 
• Do you feel like an imposter just for being in the room? 

This is where confidence is built. You don’t need more articles; you need a safe place to practice. You need a sparring partner. 

A Gort coach helps you turn these 3 steps from an awkward script into your natural, professional advantage. We run drills, practice scenarios, and help you find your authoritative voice in a new cultural context. 

Don’t let hesitation be the reason you stay silent. Grow the skills, gain the trust.  

Plan your free, no-obligation orientation call today and learn to master the Dutch meeting this week.