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Quiet People Are Powerful, Here's Why
Justin Mecham
February 19, 2024
Hey Full Potential Zoners!
NEVER underestimate the power of quiet people.
As the saying goes: actions speak louder than words.
But do you know who lives by this motto every day?
Quiet people.
They are the ones who work hard, not loud.
They think deeply and deliver results.
50% of the population are introverts.
Yet only 12% of leadership roles. (Source: Susan Cain)
What a HUGE opportunity for companies!
Today, we'll remedy that by discussing:
‘The Most Powerful People: Quiet People.'
We will focus on how leaders and companies can best support them so they can be powerful!
Let’s deep dive into this!
Download High-Resolution PDF at the Bottom of the Email
Best Way to Support Quiet People
Provide Clear Agendas in Advance:
Share agendas before meetings to allow attendees time to prepare their thoughts.
Establish Meeting Norms:
Set rules to encourage participation and preparation so that all voices are heard.
Avoid On-the-spot Pressure:
Don’t put them on the spot for immediate responses; allow time for thought and/or respond in writing.
Foster Written Communication:
Promote the use of emails and messaging apps for communication.
Be Patient:
Understand that they may need time to think deeply about a conversation.
Offer One-on-One Meetings:
Meet with them individually to ask what support they need and work together to find solutions.
Create Quiet Zones:
Set up designated quiet areas for uninterrupted work.
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Offer remote work options and flexible schedules.
Educate Your Team:
Train the team on valuing diverse work styles and strengths.
Provide Clear Expectations:
Clearly define roles, goals, and expectations.
Encourage Autonomy:
Trust introverts to manage their tasks and decisions.
Foster Written Communication
In our weekly team meetings, I noticed that one of our team members, a quieter person, rarely spoke up.
Their contributions were valuable, and I wanted to ensure their voice was heard without putting them on the spot.
I could see the discomfort when they were directly asked to speak up during meetings.
It wasn't that they didn't have ideas; it was the spontaneous nature of the conversation that was stifling.
It seemed that the expectation to contribute verbally and immediately was a barrier to their participation.
To foster a more inclusive environment, I introduced a shared digital document as a part of our meeting protocol.
Before each meeting, I would share the agenda with a section for pre-meeting input.
Team members could write down their thoughts, questions, and feedback in advance.
During the meeting, we'd review the document together, allowing everyone to read through the contributions.
This method gave the quieter team members the space to express their ideas in writing, which was more comfortable for them.
Actionable Tips:
Distribute agendas and input documents early.
Encourage all to write down thoughts before meetings.
Dedicate time to discuss these inputs during the meetings.
Acknowledge all forms of contributions, showing their importance.
Here's how you can make it real over the next 4 days:
Day 1: Observation
Notice when the quieter people in your group or team contribute, whether it's in a meeting, via email, or even in a casual conversation.
Make a mental or physical note of it.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Suggest techniques for effectively observing communication styles and participation patterns in a team setting.”
Day 2: Inclusive Actions
Act on your observations from Day 1.
If they contribute more in writing, send an email asking for their input on a specific topic.
If they speak in certain settings, create a similar environment.
This helps you understand and facilitate their preferred mode of communication.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "What are some strategies I can use to encourage quieter team members to engage more comfortably in their preferred communication style?"
Day 3: Positive Reinforcement
Provide positive feedback for their contributions.
This could be a nod during a meeting or an email/app thank-you message.
Encouragement can boost their confidence and reinforce their contribution habits.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "How can I provide positive reinforcement to quieter colleagues to encourage their continued engagement and contribution?"
Day 4: Personal Reflection
Reflect on the past three days.
How did the quieter individual respond?
Have you noticed any change in their participation?
Write down your thoughts and plan how to continue this support.
Reflection helps you gauge the effectiveness of your actions and plan for long-term support.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Guide me through a reflection process to evaluate the impact of my efforts to support quieter individuals in my team."
The key is consistency and genuine effort.
Your efforts today are shaping a better tomorrow!
Remember, the quietest voices often have the most to say.
Supporting quiet people isn't just about hearing them.
It's about providing a space where their voices are heard and valued.
But most of all:
Never assume quiet is weak and loud is strong.
Until next week and with lots of love,
Justin
I have built and sold 4 successful companies and I have over 20 years of executive experience.
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