[JohnBooty]

I tend to make good first impressions, I think, because typically (in my experience) nothing too in-depth is being discussed on the first meeting.

    It's group meetings where I can just listen 
    and absorb information that I come off as disengaged 
    and don't make a good first impression

This is where I struggle sometimes. IMO/IME if it's complicated enough to have a meeting about, then it's probably something that deserves some deeper thought. Blurting and hashing out a solution right then and there is rarely the path to an optimal solution.

But of course, that's not how the world works. Spew out a solution right then and there. That's how you get ahead. Who cares if it's the best solution? You blurted it out first, and that is seen by others as a sign of confidence, and if you are confident then you must know what you're talking about... right?

God, I need to get out of this industry. Maybe all industries.

On a positive note, I do like your mitigation strategy.