Team members who play it safe by keeping their opinions about issues more closely guarded run the chance of not being heard and therefore not being seen as fully engaged in meetings. The same is true for introverted or shy team members and for those colleagues who prefer to listen deeply before offering a view.
Yet we know that projecting the gravitas and credibility to be taken seriously by others depends on being heard frequently in any gathering.
Offering a viewpoint or advocating for a position is only one way of telling the team that you are engaged and willing to contribute. Because many team members presume they must advocate or express an opinion to be heard, they sit silently when they don’t have anything special or substantive to say. This is a mistake.
There are many ways of being heard in a meeting. Team members must find a way to register their engagement and contribution or be viewed as less credible and committed to the issues.
In addition to openly articulating a viewpoint or opinion, here’s a short list of the ways a team member can be “heard” in any meeting:
• Ask a clarifying question, such as “What are the implications of doing this?” or “How will this be perceived by our stakeholders outside of the organization?”
• Restate what has just been said in your own words as a test of accuracy: “Let me see if I have this right. You are proposing…”
• Express agreement with single words and phrases, such as “Yes,” “Spot-on,” “I agree,” “I think so,” and “I’m for that.”
• Show disagreement with head shakes, confused looks, squinty eyes, or gestures of distaste.
• Actively take notes about what is being said when you agree, and do not take notes when you disagree or find the points to be less important.
• Stand up, stretch, or get a beverage to show the issue is of less importance to you.
• Articulate and share a view on a chat feature or by group text instead of making a statement.
• Expand on what has been said with a story or an example.
This short list is not exhaustive, nor will every tactic be appropriate in some meetings. Clearly, the choice employed to be heard depends on the context and the issues involved. Regardless, team members who don’t want to be taken for granted or seen as a potted plant must register their presence consistently throughout a meeting.
As a rule of thumb, a highly engaged team member should be heard every 10-15 minutes at a minimum. Anything less and they will likely be viewed as detached or withdrawn from the discussion.
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