Set clear ground rules for respectful communication and equal participation at the start of each meeting. Assign a facilitator to guide the conversation, ensuring no interruptions and that every team member has an opportunity to contribute. Incorporate round-robin techniques or directly invite quieter members to share their thoughts, making sure their voices are heard. Share meeting agendas in advance, allowing team members to add topics they feel are important, and offer alternative ways to participate, like chat features or anonymous polling for those who prefer different communication methods. During the meeting, practice active listening—acknowledge their contributions, ask follow-up questions, and credit them for their ideas.

To ensure a team member feels heard and respected in meetings, it's important to actively foster an inclusive environment. Begin by encouraging equal participation—structure the meeting so that each member has the opportunity to speak and contribute. For quieter individuals, directly invite them to share their thoughts, creating a space where they feel comfortable and valued (allocate time for each member to speak, and directly ask quieter members for input). Acknowledge and validate all contributions, ensuring that credit is given where due. This recognition reinforces the value of their input and encourages future participation. Foster a culture of open dialogue where differing opinions are respected.

One climate a facilitator could ensure is "has everyone been given an opportunity to speak?". Another is to observe and see who voice was 'interrupted' or 'cut off' and the add, 'I think (name) has something to contribute, could I please invite you to share your thoughts?'

I incorporate Inclusive Leadership Theory, which highlights the importance of fostering a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. This approach encourages equal participation by giving every member an opportunity to contribute, especially those who may be quieter. Acknowledging contributions in real-time, such as saying, "That’s a valuable point," helps build confidence. Directly asking for input with questions like, "What are your thoughts?" further ensures that all team members feel valued and included. Inclusive leadership not only empowers individuals but also enhances team collaboration and creativity.

- Try methods like LEGO? Serious Play? or Liberating Structures that naturally encourage full participation from everyone. - Use silent meetings, where team members write down their thoughts before speaking. This approach can help quieter voices be heard more easily. - Follow up with one-on-one chats afterward to gather any ideas that didn’t come up during the meeting.