My friend in Denver convinced me to try a 'silent meeting' at work and I thought it was a total gimmick.

We spent a full 30 minutes just reading a shared doc and adding comments before anyone spoke, and it actually led to way better ideas from our quiet team members. I was totally wrong to dismiss it without trying it. How do you balance giving everyone a voice without forcing people to talk on the spot?

4 comments

4 Comments

miles_burns2mo ago

Ever feel like your own advice is the hardest to take? I used to think any meeting without talking was a waste of time, but forcing myself to shut up was the best way to hear others. It turns out the loudest ideas aren't always the best ones.

karen_sanchez491mo ago

Wait, is this really some huge life-changing revelation or just basic meeting etiquette? I feel like there's a middle ground between yapping nonstop and sitting there like a statue.

the_wesley2mo ago

Hold up, miles_burns. Sometimes you need to talk to push past bad ideas. If everyone just sits quiet waiting for a gem, you get nothing but safe, boring thoughts. The loud voice might be the only one brave enough to say the hard thing that actually moves the needle.

max_torres442mo ago

Totally get that feeling, man.