TJ Walker shows leaders how to draw out quiet people in meetings. Call them by name and give them time to answer, set expectations upfront that everyone will contribute, use quick round-robins where each person speaks for 10-15 seconds, and acknowledge what they say before moving on.
Chapters
Ultimize. Some of the most valuable input in a meeting never gets heard. Not because people don't have ideas, because they don't speak up. Some people just like to sit back. They're shy, they're introvert, whatever you want to put a label on it, doesn't really matter. Good ideas are not coming out. And if you don't actively bring them in, you lose that input. That's not good. Here's a simple way to fix it. Instead of asking any thoughts, call on people by name. Anna, what's your view on this? Give them a moment to respond. Don't rush to fill silence. Most people don't speak because the moment passes too quickly, or they wanted to be called on. Someone else jumps in and they stay quiet. When you call on someone directly, you create space for them and you make them feel welcome. You make them feel wanted. I've seen this with teams where someone like Myra has a strong opinion but rarely speaks unless asked. Once the leader starts bringing her in directly, the quality of the discussion improves immediately. I mean, like that. Another approach is to set expectations early. At the beginning of the meeting, say something like, I'm going to ask each of you for a quick review before we decide. Now, this can make people feel a little bit uncomfortable, but it allows them to get ready. Now, people prepare mentally. They know they will be asked. They don't sit back waiting for others to speak. You can also use structure. Go around the room and ask each person for a short input. Gotta keep it brief though, 10 or 15 seconds each. That ensures everyone contributes without turning it into a long discussion. Everyone is heard, everyone feels heard. One more important point: make it safe to speak. If someone shares an idea and gets shut down immediately, They might not speak again, maybe ever. So when someone like Rhea offers perspective, acknowledge it before moving on. That's helpful. Let's consider that, especially among the quiet people who don't normally ask to speak out. Now, you don't have to agree with them, but you do have to keep the environment open. Quiet people are not a problem. They are an untapped resource. If you bring them into the conversation, your meetings become more balanced and your decisions become better decisions. And hey, that's why we're here, right?
