is it really important that everyone has input in meetings?
CASE INCIDENT 1 Tongue-Tied in Teams Thirty-one-year-old Robert Murphy has the best inten- prefer to collect their thoughts before speaking-if they tions to participate in team meetings, but when it's "game speak at all. But again, even those who are extraverted time," he chokes. An online marketing representative, can remain quiet, especially when they feel they cannot Robert cannot be criticized for lack of preparation. After contribute. being invited to a business meeting with six of his cowork- You may be wondering whether it is important for ers and his supervisor, Robert began doing his research everyone to speak up. Collaboration (the word comes on the meeting's subject matter. He compiled notes and from "laboring together" in Latin) is at the heart of arranged them neatly. As soon as the meeting began, organizational transformation, so yes, the more participa- however, "I just sat there like a lump, fixated on the fact tion, the more likely the collaboration will result in higher that I was quiet." The entire meeting passed without trust, increased productivity, and enhanced creativity. Robert contributing a word. Furthermore, collaboration works best when individuals Robert is certainly not the first person to fail to speak know their ideas are taken seriously. up during meetings, and he won't be the last. While some The message from research is clear: give free speech silent employees may not have any new ideas to contribute, a try! the highly intelligent also freeze. One study found that if we believe our peers are smarter, we experience anxiety Questions that temporarily blocks our ability to think effectively. In 10-13. Why are extroverts more likely to speak in a meet- other words, worrying about what the group thinks of ing than introverts? Do they have better things to you makes you dumber. The study also found the effect say ? was worse for women, perhaps because they can be more 10-14. Is it really important that everyone has input in socially attuned to what others may think. meetings ? In other cases, failing to speak up may be attributed 10-15. Do you feel that your peers are quicker and smarter to personality. While the extraverted tend to be asser- than you? Does this mean you fail to contribute to tive and assured in group settings, the more introverted discussions? How can you reverse this? Sources: E. Bernstein, "Speaking Up Is Hard to Do: Researchers Explain Why," The Wall Street Journal, February 7, 2012, DI; M. Kashtan, "Want Teamwork? Promote Free Speech," The New York Times, April 13, 2014, 8; and H. Leroy et al., "Behavioral Integrity for Safety, Priority of Safety, Psychologi- cal Safety
