At the start of my journey as a leader, I learned a lesson that changed how I work with teams and come up with new ideas. This happened during what seemed like a normal team brainstorming session—a meeting where we shared ideas. But that day, something happened that made me see leadership in a whole new way.

The meeting started like usual, with the same people sharing their ideas. I was getting ready to end the discussion, feeling like we had covered everything. But then I noticed something small: our newest team member, who had been quiet the whole time, shifted a little in their chair. It was a tiny movement, but it made me curious.

On a sudden thought, I decided to ask what they thought. At first, they looked a little unsure, and I wondered if I had put them on the spot. But then they started sharing their ideas, slowly at first. What they said amazed all of us. Their idea was creative, solved problems we hadn’t even noticed, and gave us a whole new direction for our project.

I suddenly realized I had made a big mistake by assuming the loudest voices had the best ideas. I hadn’t been listening enough to the quieter team members, who also had important ideas to share. That meeting changed how I lead. I learned to make sure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts—even those who are quieter—because their ideas can be just as important.

That experience made me realize the importance of giving everyone a chance to be heard, even the quieter voices. Here are some ways I’ve worked towards making this happen.

1. Allocating Time for Individual Reflection

In team meetings, outgoing people often lead the discussions because they think quickly and feel comfortable sharing ideas right away. But this way of doing things doesn’t work for everyone, especially for quieter team members who might need more time to think things through.

To make things fair, I added some quiet time to our meetings. After introducing a topic, I give everyone a few minutes to write down their thoughts before we start talking. This way, quieter team members can share their ideas comfortably, and it stops louder voices from taking over the whole conversation.

By adding quiet moments to think, I’ve noticed that our discussions have gotten much better. The ideas are deeper and lead to more useful conversations. Most importantly, people who might be shy now feel more confident sharing their thoughts.

2. Offering Alternative Input Methods

Not everyone feels comfortable speaking up in meetings, so I’ve introduced other ways for people to share ideas. These include anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, and online tools where people can contribute without the pressure of speaking directly.

One helpful method is using a shared online document where team members can add their ideas before or after a meeting. This way, we get ideas that might not come up during the actual meeting. It also helps everyone feel more comfortable and appreciated, knowing their ideas are valued even if they don’t speak up right away.

3. Practicing Patience and Active Listening

As leaders, we often want quick results and fast decisions. But I’ve learned that great ideas need time. Great ideas don’t always come out right away. They often need time to form and come from people who like to think things through first.

I’ve worked hard to be more patient as a leader. Instead of quickly moving on to the next topic, I pause and invite anyone who hasn’t spoken yet to share their thoughts. I also make sure to listen closely and show that I care about what everyone has to say. By doing this, I create a friendly atmosphere where everyone feels safe to take their time and share their ideas, knowing they will be respected and welcomed.

4. Empowering Every Voice to Be Heard

I’ve made sure there are different ways for people to share their ideas. Besides meetings, they can use anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, or online tools to provide input without speaking directly. By making room for all voices, I’ve seen how much better and more creative our team’s work can be.

The best ideas can come from those who speak the least. These ideas often bring fresh insights. As a leader, I encourage these voices to share their thoughts. It’s important to understand that great ideas don’t always come from being loud, and being a good leader means listening as much as it means leading.

Encouraging quieter voices on the team helps us uncover valuable ideas that improve our work. Great leaders know the importance of listening to all members. Giving people time to think, offering different ways to share, and being patient really help in our meetings. Often, the best ideas come from those who speak less. Leaders who make space for all voices set their teams up for success.

What are some ways you ensure every team member feels comfortable sharing their ideas? Share in the comments below. Together, we can build open and inspiring workplaces!