No invention, breakthrough, or solution has ever come from sameness. The greatest ideas come from difference. And yet all too often in workplaces, our teams are stifled by a quiet, compulsory adherence to the status quo.
At the Human Solidarity Project, we believe that success comes when everyone can be fully themselves—bringing their unique brilliance, perspective, and skills to the table. For many people, past experiences, messaging, and conditioning prevents us from sharing our true gifts. Habits like people-pleasing, performing, doubting and downplaying ourselves become so second nature that they're almost imperceptible when they're happening. Learning to recognize when we are minimizing our own brilliance, and developing the ability to stretch back into it is an act of self-solidarity and the foundation for human solidarity.
Courage Is Contagious
It's said that courage is contagious; that one person choosing to move through their fear gives permission to others to do the same. As leaders, we may wonder how to encourage greater participation from our teams, and we may feel especially perplexed by trying to coach the quieter voices into the room. While it's tempting to write off a lack of participation as something beyond our control, ensuring equitable participation on our teams is our responsibility, and it often starts with us.
Breaking the Silence Starts with Leaders
When one quiet voice speaks up, it creates the possibility and permission for others to do the same. Breaking the dynamics of group dominance then, is a necessary first step. Leaders must recognize who tends to be silent and make a clear, warm, and specific invitation to them to bring their authentic selves.
Sometimes this may be as simple as saying: "Alicia—you look like you may have some thoughts on this, and I'd love to hear your perspective. Would you share what you're thinking?"
If invitations at that level are declined, a one-on-one conversation to address the reasons a team member is holding back may be necessary. Most importantly, when a quiet voice speaks itself into the room, it must be affirmed and appreciated—even if what's shared is challenging to hear.
Creating Space for Authentic Participation
By encouraging participation (even when it challenges us!) we create space for people to bring their ideas where they are needed. And by showing that agreement is not a necessary condition for participation, we create the possibility of something new and necessary being generated. When a disengaged team member starts bringing their gifts to the table, it inspires others to do the same. Soon, you may find that your formerly quiet colleague is the most passionate and creative force on the team.
