DIVERSITY | "Listen?? to the Quiet People in Times of Change"

As a leader I'm happy to see the diversity and inclusion is becoming more attention than ever in business across all industries, but there are simple things that might be harder to change. Let's get back to fact that not everyone is a extrovert and communicates broadly and in an easy way across all channels. I still see it a lot, that it can be easy to overlook the quiet people in the room. The ones, who don't speak up much, who prefer to listen and observe, who may seem shy or aloof. But from my experience those introverts may have more to offer than you even think. In fact, they may be the smartest people in the room.

Introverts are not necessarily less intelligent or less creative than extroverts. They just process information in a different way, which needs to be understood and respected. They tend to think deeply and carefully before they speak, and they may need more time and space to generate and refine their ideas. They are also more likely to focus on quality over quantity, and to avoid distractions and interruptions.

This does not mean in general, that introverts are better than extroverts, or vice versa. It means that they have different strengths and weaknesses, and that they can complement each other in teams and organizations. Diversity is not only about gender, race, or culture. It is also about personality, temperament and cognitive style. A diverse team can benefit from the different perspectives and skills of both introverts and extroverts, as long as they respect and appreciate each other.

"Sometimes a dream almost whispers… it never shouts. Very hard to hear. So you have to, every day of your lives, be ready to hear what whispers in your ear." - Steven Spielberg

Let's look at, how can we learn from the quiet people in the room, and make sure that their ideas are heard and valued? Here are my personal key-learnings:

1?? DON'T JUDGE THEM BY THEIR SILENCE

Silence does not mean ignorance, indifference, or lack of confidence. It may mean that they are thinking, reflecting or waiting for the right moment to share their insights.

2?? GIVE THEM SPACE AND TIME

Don't pressure them to speak up or participate more. Let them work at their own pace and in their own way. Provide them with opportunities to express themselves in writing, online, or in smaller groups, where they may feel more comfortable and creative.

3?? LISTEN TO THEM ATTENTIVELY

When they do speak, pay attention and show interest. Don't interrupt, dismiss, or overshadow them. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to elaborate. Acknowledge and validate their contributions, and give them constructive feedback.

4?? LEARN FROM THEM

Introverts can teach us a lot about observation, analysis, creativity, and innovation. They can also help us improve our listening, communication, and collaboration skills. We can learn from their insights, experiences, and perspectives, and apply them to our own work and life.

The quiet people in the room may not be the loudest or the most visible, but they may be the smartest. Especially in time of change and/or in time of crisis where things are getting sometimes a bit chaotic, I learned, that often introverts can contribute strong with their ideas when you get them a chance to share their perspective.

Dare to learn from them, and you may discover new and valuable things.

"Introverts are more effective leaders of proactive employees. When you have a creative, energetic work force, an introvert is going to draw out that energy better." - Laurie Helgoe