Addressing concerns regarding my business demeanor came to mind when I enrolled in the program. To me, an MBA was a ticket to a competitive career, and the school, a much-needed transformation.
Everyone around me was loud, confident and ready to pounce on any opportunity for the spotlight.
I recall vividly thinking, ‘In the midst of all this competition, if I should passively wait for my turn to speak or will I remain invisible?’
My experience has shown me that the phrase ‘quiet’ is devoid of any form of passivity. Rather, it signifies purposeful action.
Listening Is An Unsung Advantage
The most silent individuals often get mistaken as disengaged. What they fail to realize is that listening is an art, and I practice it diligently. Through observation, I learn to decipher rules of engagement. I am adept at grasping at clues, interpreting unseen metrics, and identifying trends that often go ignored. In fast-paced environments, slow often beats quick. And, I have come to appreciate observation as being the pillar of insight.
In team-based settings, timing and relevance often seem to go hand in hand.
The Unidirectional Nature of Influence
Speak less or forever be forgotten were some of the words I told myself that stemmed from a desire to be permanently etched in people’s memories. Then, I learned that absence equates to reduction is a fallacy. Influence has little to do with the frequency of speaking and is triggered with the presence of offline matters such as preparation and execution.
Trust can be earned by being reliable within teams, offering clear ideas, and demonstrating consideration for others’ viewpoints.
Leaders Come In Different Forms
Leadership is not having monopolistic control over a forum. Allowing others to use the space provided to the greatest degree is constructive leadership.
It is often the quiet teammate who smoothly summarizes complex concepts, resolves conflicts, or poses a game-changing question about a project.
That’s what strategic communication is all about. That’s leadership as well.
Silence Is Not The Same As Smallness
The truth is different. Personal growth is possible without undergoing radical changes that make you unrecognizable. For me, it was showing up and contributing, and yes, I did progress in baby steps, one conversation, one insight, and one deliberate action at a time.
Emotional self-regulation, resilience, and self-awareness are assets, not weaknesses.
Last Reflection
To the past and current quiet MBA students, remember; please avoid stereotyping yourself with the so-called confident loud leaders. Embrace your identity.
Your impact does not depend on your volume.
Embrace your authenticity. With a thoughtful word that carries weight, an awkward smile, and deliberate actions day by day.