Question: We have several employees who seldom speak up during meetings. How can we encourage them?

QUESTION

We have several employees who seldom speak up during meetings. How can we encourage them?

ANSWER

Employees may be hesitant to speak up during meetings for a variety of reasons. They might not know whether they should or how much time they can take. They might need a few moments to gather their thoughts before responding to new information. They might feel speaking up isn’t worth it or worry about saying the wrong thing. Here are a few ways to address those issues and encourage greater participation:

When planning meetings, always include time for discussion and questions. Add this time to the agenda and don’t skip it. If you think you’ll run out of time, consider removing or tabling an agenda item so there’s still time for discussion.
Share the agenda ahead of the meeting. Not everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts on the spot. Giving employees time to review the agenda ahead of time allows them to prepare their thoughts and feel more confident when contributing.

This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.