Bring out best from that quiet person in your team…
Do you recollect that “Quiet Person” in your team? Or Do you have a “Quiet Person” in your team currently? Each of us have had an experience with a “Quiet Person” in our work environment. As a leader have you faced a dilemma of how to get them to contribute more to the team?
As you bring that person into your awareness, simultaneously you will also get some image and perception of that individual. What is your perception? Sometimes “Quiet People” make others feel uncomfortable who are more vocal and expressive. If you are a leader who is highly communicative, expressive and extrovert and have a Quiet Person in your team, it can be quiet a task to make this person “talk”. Is it necessary?
Often, “Quiet People” are perceived as shy, uninteresting or uninterested, unhappy, introvert and maybe not very bright. That is not the fact. People who like to be quiet have an immense potential hidden within them. As a leader you need to follow some unconventional route to unleash their hidden potential.
- Interactions in small groups: Quiet People prefer to work closely with people on a one to one interaction and build meaningful conversations. If you compel them to speak and express in a large meeting or gathering, then you would be pushing them further into their shell.
- New learning: Quiet People are naturally curious and natural learners and they prefer to observe and learn to feed their thirst for knowledge. If there is a new product or process to be introduced, as a leader you may like to involve this individual to bring about success in the cascade and execution of the same.
- Problem Solving: Quiet People are creative and have interesting hobbies and may be well read. They can look at problem with a deep understanding of the root cause and do not get distracted due to noise. You can Involve them to find creative solutions to chronic problems.
- Resolve Conflicts: Quiet People think a lot and almost always think before they speak and usually bring in meaningful context. Quiet People are great at observing others while everyone else is talking they listen and observe. They are interested in learning about the people around them to expand their minds. When they are silent, other people feel uncomfortable and are often compelled to fill the silence, so they reveal more about themselves. Like this Quiet People focus on getting more information to prepare response and connect to people. This attribute can be leveraged to solve conflicts between team members.
- Can be trusted: Quiet People enjoy their own company as much as they care about other’s feelings. They do not divulge in meaningless conversations and hence can be trusted. They connect and open up about themselves at their own pace.
- Quiet People are the really good listeners of our planet. Being quiet gives their brain a chance to wander and reflect. When a Quiet Person speaks, it is usually a well-thought-out, high-quality comment or opinion. So, be smart and listen.