Sweaty palms. Knotted stomach. Pounding heart. Racing mind.
Waiting for the right moment to speak. Then waiting some more.
The room buzzes with the easy chatter of your extroverted colleagues.
Their voices a rising and falling tide you try to navigate. You're an introvert waiting your turn.
The conversation moves fast. The loudest voices dominate. By the time you’re ready, the moment has passed.
You leave thinking, I should have spoken up.
As introverts, we don’t stay quiet because we lack ideas. We stay quiet because we think before we speak.
We don’t like interrupting. We’re waiting for the right moment. But sometimes, that moment never comes. And our best ideas go unheard. Here’s what we introverts should be saying in meetings:
1. “I have a different perspective on this.” - Your view might be the missing piece. Share it.
2. “Can we clarify the goal before we move forward?” - Meetings move fast. A simple question can refocus everyone.
3. “I need a little more time to think this through.” - It’s okay to process before responding. Thoughtful input beats rushed input.
4. “I’d like to follow up on this after the meeting.” - Not every great idea happens in real time. Circle back.
5. “I agree, and I’d add…” - You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Supporting someone else’s point adds value too.
6. “I think we might be overlooking something.” - Introverts notice what others miss. If you see a gap, say something.
7. “Can you explain that differently?” - Asking for clarity doesn’t make you look unprepared. It makes you look engaged.
8. “Have we considered another approach?” - Big ideas don’t always come from the loudest voices. our perspective matters.
9. “I appreciate that insight.” - Acknowledging others builds trust. And trust creates space for your voice.
Your ideas are too valuable to keep inside. So next time you’re in a meeting, speak up.
Because the smartest person in the room isn’t always the loudest.
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