On more than one occasion I have been part of meetings where I had something of value to add and the design of the meeting, or lack thereof, missed the opportunity to engage this introvert!

Introverts – “think to speak”
Extroverts – “speak to think”

Here are four simple tactics that can be used to engage introverts in your team and in your meetings.

1.    Send out questions prior to the meeting.

I have found this is the single best way to tap into insights that may be missed because introverts will find it hard to add their perspectives during an in-flow group conversation.

The meeting then can ask for responses to the questions. The introvert will be now be excited to share their well thought out answer.

Bonus: It also provides focus for the extroverts!

2.     Provide reflection breaks.

Just pause the talk for a few minutes. Ask everyone in the group to write some notes on what has happened so far and what each person sees as the most important topic to progress with.

This provides some breathing room for something new to emerge and often leads to thoughtful perspective being shared that may not have been.

3.   Ask everyone to expand an idea that was not their own.

This engages the whole group. Reminds the introvert to balance their own insights with understanding the insights of others (I confess I have been in meetings where I have tuned out and am lost in my own thoughts.)

Stating this intent in advance encourages listening for all!

4.   Balance action with understanding.

Yes, we know we need action items! Extroverted action-oriented focus is essential, of course. But don’t panic! My experience in England was that generally more action was required. My experience in the States is the reverse of this! I have witnessed many rushed decisions made without sufficient understanding, resulting in repeated failures, loss of time and a bunch of dollars.

Ask: is there anything else we need to consider? Pause. Listen. Ask again. Ask a third time.