I’ve noticed in meetings there are always a few people who clearly have good ideas but rarely speak up. Sometimes they’ll message later or bring it up one-on-one, and I’m thinking… that would’ve been helpful during the meeting. For managers or team leads here, how do you create space for quieter teammates to share ideas without putting them on the spot? Curious what has worked for others. I want to create a psychological safe space.

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This might be a little uncomfortable for shyer employees but I have found going around the room and asking each employee if they have questions or anything to add gets these people to speak up. It is like putting them on the spot though.

You should put them on the spot. Not in an uncomfortable way, but like a professor trying to get the quiet kid to speak up. No serious pressure, just "X, what do you think?" type of thing. That kind of tacit encouragement to open up helps a lot if you struggle to feel confident speaking up. Source: someone who hates speaking up.

Ahh good point, I feel like this was done on myself when I was younger but didn’t realize it. My managers differently did it in a inviting way and made me feel like my expertise was needed

If you think they're up to it, throw 'em in the deep end. Next meeting, if the idea is still relevant, say "Whazzername had a great idea about..." and see if they melt.

If they are competent but just shy, it may help. If they are too introverted to handle an action like that then they may not be suited for being in meetings. Lots of people are like that. Same ones who had "test anxiety" in school. Nothing wrong with them and many are quite smart people, but meetings don't include an entire company's staff for a reason.

Like volunteering in the Army. It is generally a stupid idea to put all your ideas on the table during a meeting. I can think of a lot of crap that needs doing but that doesn’t mean I am going to volunteer my time. What is in it for me? Usually nothing.

I have seen leaders pause intentionally and invite quieter colleagues in. Sometimes even a simple “I would value your perspective here” creates space without putting someone on the spot.

I think this also depends on your team / meeting size? Can you have smaller more focussed discussions to make sure everyone has a chance to speak?

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