One commitment team leaders and facilitators must have when running meetings is to hold up the minor voice. Translated, this means to make sure everyone is heard and contributes to the discussion. This includes those who are reticent, inexperienced, introverted, or fearful of interjecting their views.
Sep 15, 2023·edited Sep 15, 2023Liked by Admired Leadership
Valid points.
It all comes down to knowing the people on your team. Some, when called out, will resent you. Others will be overly appreciative. The latter can lead to, encouraging, an already massive ego. Hence leadership being considered an art. Personally, I opt for Aristotelian logic. I have found this ancient practice to be useful.
Good point, Joe. Calling a voice out doesn't necessarily mean you should be surprising them. Holding a minor voice up shouldn't include accidental embarrassment.
I'd like to add a minor caveat...I don't try to get everyone's participation on every topic/issue. Instead, if there is a topic/issue being discussed and a person who I feel has or should have insight or an opinion on something doesn't speak up/contribute, this is when I call on them. I will usually begin it with a compliment like, "I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this because in the past, you've shown or demonstrated XYZ which was really helpful..." In my experience, there are many topics/issues that not everyone has the interest, knowledge, or skills to think deeply about and provide quality input. With that said, I've recently been asking team members in one of my staff meetings to share with the team something they've been working on and how/what they're doing to make it better, faster, or cheaper. IMO everyone should be able to speak to that. It's been slow going, but I feel likely I'm making some headway, especially with the quieter team members. A positive side effect is I think they are actually learning from each other.
Valid points.
It all comes down to knowing the people on your team. Some, when called out, will resent you. Others will be overly appreciative. The latter can lead to, encouraging, an already massive ego. Hence leadership being considered an art. Personally, I opt for Aristotelian logic. I have found this ancient practice to be useful.
It doesn't, usually, pay the big bucks though;).
Thank you for your time.
Good point, Joe. Calling a voice out doesn't necessarily mean you should be surprising them. Holding a minor voice up shouldn't include accidental embarrassment.
I'd like to add a minor caveat...I don't try to get everyone's participation on every topic/issue. Instead, if there is a topic/issue being discussed and a person who I feel has or should have insight or an opinion on something doesn't speak up/contribute, this is when I call on them. I will usually begin it with a compliment like, "I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this because in the past, you've shown or demonstrated XYZ which was really helpful..." In my experience, there are many topics/issues that not everyone has the interest, knowledge, or skills to think deeply about and provide quality input. With that said, I've recently been asking team members in one of my staff meetings to share with the team something they've been working on and how/what they're doing to make it better, faster, or cheaper. IMO everyone should be able to speak to that. It's been slow going, but I feel likely I'm making some headway, especially with the quieter team members. A positive side effect is I think they are actually learning from each other.