If you assume that someone who is quiet is an introvert, you could completely miss the opportunity to create an environment where they can flourish and contribute their best. Of course, it is very possible that the person 𝘪𝘴 an introvert. But introverts are not always quiet, and not all quiet people are introverts! People can be quiet due to:

1. Other personality traits: High emotionality is a tendency to be sensitive and feel more, and it can raise anxiety and cause people to be quiet. Highly sensitive people can also withdraw due to sensory overload. Some people may lean towards being conflict-avoidant (agreeable). All of these traits can be present in introverts, ambiverts and extroverts.
2. Conditioning: Some people have been brought up to be ‘seen and not heard’, or to never interrupt. It may be due to their cultural background, family norms, religious or school teachings, and it can be difficult for people with such conditioning to speak up.
3. Power dynamics: It can feel difficult to speak up when others are more senior, more knowledgeable about a topic, or if you are in the minority – such as because of gender, ethnicity, religion, opinion, and so on. Those who feel like they have less power can feel silenced, and it takes courage and personal power to find your voice.

So… can we please get past the idea that quiet = introvert?

If you want people to speak up more, you need to understand the real reasons why they remain quiet.

Equally, understanding the reasons why you have a tendency to stay quiet is important if you want to build your own ability to speak up, have a voice or to use your quiet nature as your leadership strength.

You’ll find a whole section discussing these ideas in the Quietly Powerful book. You can download the first two chapters for free at https://lnkd.in/g6igf4q

Elaine Lin Hering’s book, Unlearning Silence, is also a great resource for understanding why you or others keep quiet in some situations.

This article is Lesson 4 in a series on ‘8 lessons from 8 years of Quietly Powerful’. View the other posts at #QP8thbirthday.‘8 lessons from 8 years of Quietly Powerful’. View the other posts at #QP8thbirthday.

Written by Megumi Miki, with Anna Reeve and Leigh Gassner, co-founders of Leaders who Listen. We aim to develop leaders who create a listening environment of safety and space within their organisations to enable better decision making, drive growth and innovation, enhance collaboration and inclusion, and manage risk. If you’d like to understand how your leadership team can engage in productive disagreements, contact us about our Leaders who Listen assessment tools, presentations, masterclasses and development programs.