I used to think I was “bad at meetings,” but it turned out I was just in rooms where listening wasn’t valued. Has anyone else mistaken a culture issue for a personal flaw?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I had a similar experience, it took me a while to understand that some meetings are really a performance for certain individuals. They want to hold court and preen and there really isn't any interest in having new ideas brought up or considered. Sometimes you're required to be in the meeting, but you're expected to be audience, not performer.

That distinction you made between audience and performer really hits. It explains why so many people leave meetings feeling smaller instead of sharper. When participation is reduced to watching someone “hold court,” it stops being collaboration altogether.

It's funny, I came to the same realization in therapy. I was having such a hard time focusing during our weekly meetings and I felt that I was always distracted. But in reality, I was just being ignored. Every time I try to chime in, I would get disregarded. Eventually I just checked out and struggled to check back in.

Thank you for naming that. Being ignored can absolutely masquerade as a focus issue when it’s really a relational one. It’s exhausting to keep showing up authentically in spaces that don’t acknowledge your voice, no wonder checking out becomes a form of self-protection.

Totally! It’s mad how some people in meetings just don’t really care what other people have to say

It really is wild. After a while you start wondering if it’s about ideas at all or just airtime.

That shift from collaboration to performance changes the whole energy of a room. It makes you question whether it’s worth contributing, which says a lot about the culture more than the people in it.

Weirdly had this too, it felt like the people that just talked the loudest got the most focus in the meetings.

It really can feel that way. Volume isn’t the same as value, but in some rooms it gets treated like it is. I’ve started noticing the difference between spaces that reward the loudest voice and ones that make space for thoughtful input. The latter always produces better ideas in the long run.

Related Posts

Any referral for Scrum master role.
Immediate joiner - 20 days.
Location - Pune, Indore.

like

When #howshouldweaccountforme posts your submission 😆

like

Need to activate my DM feature to be able to network. Would appreciate some likes on this post.
☺️

Looking for Summer 2022 Full time roles once I finish MS in Business Analytics ~ 5YOE in risk and data. Would appreciate any guidance/tips/referrals.

like

A leading Gaming organization located in Pune, looking out for Software Engineer - Backend with strong Java skills.
Share your profile at
himani@dreamgamestudios.in
Experience - 1-7 years
Organization - Dream Game Studios - Part of Dream sports where there are other entities like Dream 11, Fancode, Dream Set Go

like

Any book recommendations that are must reads/made a significant impact on you?

likesmarthelpful

Got H1B lottery picked up last year (2021). Now I have an approved petition. But I am not holding visa.

In this situation - can I able to switch company? Can I able to change the petitioner(new employer) in this approved petition?

Looking for creative ways to generate demand for demos that don’t require big ad spend - any advice or tactics you’ve done to great success? (SaaS product in niche industry)

like

I received an offer for $74k as underwriting analyst. Company is based out of DC. Is $74k a good offer? Or should I negotiate for more. 6 years in the industry. 5 as an account manager/underwriting assistant

like

How do you folks describe your deals in resume/ interviews/ LinkedIn while stopping short of naming client/target? If you describe the acquirer and target, it’s pretty easily traced to the exact deal.

like

I am looking for a referral for a job in Pfizer. I am a Pharmacist with many years of Pharmacy and Business experience. I am also in the process of starting my MBA. I would appreciate the help greatly as I have applied to other Pharma positions without referrals and not had much success this way. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

like

Hello fishes,

I'm looking for someone to share 2bhk (fully furnished) in North Bengaluru (Bhartiya City) . It's an all girls accomodation.
Single room in 2BHK Rent : 16 k approx (negotiable)

About Me: feminist, not a party person but a backpacker. Looking forward to positive vibes, long drives and peace times

like

If any brothers need a spot to stay in and are open to Burlingame (SF area) LMK iA!

Own room and bathroom with a parking spot for 1200.

like

What is the future earning potential of a Talent Acquisition Manager in London?

If you eventually move into a Head of/Director of Talent, how high can the salaries go?

Currently on £40K + Bonus + Equity

like

Hi all - anyone know Disney’s internal role structure? Is Senior Manager more or less Senior than SM at Accenture?

like

Currently a senior in BTS/private wealth. EY and KPMG reached out to me. Out of Deloitte, EY, and KPMG, which is best in salary, WLB, remote positions, overall?

What should be average salary for a .net Senior Software Architect having 17 years of experience?

like

Travel and TTC combo haven’t worked. After 6 months, the only offer I got included 4 weeks paid and FLMA only after 1 year. So 1) go and risk laughable benefits or 2) stay but risk TTC. So shitty 😭

like

Hey Guys,

What are the What are the benefits offered by
Maersk GSC Pune ?
What should be the expected salary for JL4 ?

like
like

Gearing up to ask for 8 days of PTO for the spring. Just found out that staff has been getting reprimanded for taking even just a day of PTO. Now I'm scared

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal