I’ve noticed a pattern in meetings: the people who talk the most (whether their ideas are actually good or not) end up getting remembered and credited. Meanwhile, the folks who quietly do the heavy lifting often get overlooked. Part of me feels like I should play that game, but another part of me worries I’ll come off as fake if I start speaking just to be heard. Would you adapt your style or double down on letting the work speak for itself?

likesmart
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Think of it from the other extreme: imagine you’re running a meeting and everyone is silent with nobody contributing to the discussion. Who are you likely to remember? The 29 people who remained silent or the one person engaging you with questions?

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I mean work is a social environment as much as it is about getting work done. I don’t view it as a game so much as building relationships and connections with your team and leadership. Doing great work is important but ultimately it’s not as important as being likable, at least not on its own. This is obviously not ideal for introverts but it’s why there are so many likable but incompetent people in positions of power.

likesmart

It is even more important after Covid as we have all become somewhat less social, and some are remote. It helps others if you participate.

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Adapt your style in a way that’s comfortable for you. Goal is to succeed at your firm and continue getting paid, not to “do good honest work.”

likesmart

This is how life works, not just meetings.

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Speak up.

likehelpful

I can't tell from your post. But having ideas and voicing them, good or bad, is always good. I always voice my ideas, and sometimes we go with them and sometimes not, but its never seen as a weakness if the idea is bad. Being able to think up solutions to novel problems, not being afraid for the ideas to not work, and being creative are important characteristics of a good attorney. Attorneys that don't ever speak up and just grind are a dime a dozen, but clever, confident, outside the box thinkers are more rare and valuable

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“Work hard and you’ll be rewarded” is a lie we tell children to compel obedience.

likehelpful

So you can just look at the agenda for the meeting, formulate an idea or two and speak up. It’s called preparation, Mr./Ms. Lawyer of the Year.

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Don’t stay quiet if you gave a good idea or can contribute meaningfully. But don’t talk just to talk.

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Being quiet can often be perceived as a lack of preparation or a lack of confidence. You need to adapt. You can’t expect people to adapt to your lack of communication and go above and beyond to understand that you contribute in other ways. That’s not their job.

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I have a similar personality type as you. I would encourage you to talk a bit. Not just to talk but not to be unduly reticent, either.

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I think a combination of the two cannot hurt. Continue being the zealous advocate for your client by doing quality work. But don’t be afraid to speak up and voice your thoughts on important matters. There’s a time to talk and a time to listen. The right people will see you and remember you!

helpful

You've just discovered why in real life, the B students generally end up running the show, while the A kids end up in middle management.

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Can’t tell if A1 is accidentally proving P1’s point or making an elaborate joke

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This ain’t law school, quietly doing the work isn’t what’s most rewarded

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