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Conversations with Authors: Smart, Not Loud

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Conversations with Authors: Smart, Not Loud

Jessica Chen with Brooks E. Scott

Book Passage,

5 min read
3 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

If you tend to be quiet at work, learn how to boost your visibility — without compromising your personality or values.

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9

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Curious how to gain recognition at work without shouting over others? In this episode of the Book Passage Conversations with Authors video series, Emmy-winning journalist Jessica Chen offers practical strategies to those who feel overlooked at work. Learn how quieter professionals can advocate for themselves, increase their visibility, build their career brand, and thrive — without compromising authenticity. Managers and leaders will learn how to foster inclusivity and tap the skills and insights of people whose perspectives might otherwise get lost in the noise of an extroverted workplace.

Summary

“Quiet culture bias” can inhibit the professional growth of more quiet or reserved workers.

The culture of many workplaces favors louder and more assertive personalities. However unintentional, this “quiet culture bias” can create barriers for those who are naturally soft-spoken or come from cultural backgrounds that value humility and reserve. Higher-ups sometimes see these quieter individuals as disengaged or lacking ambition, hindering professional growth for those who prefer to communicate differently.

One way a professional with a quiet demeanor can counteract the quiet culture bias is to maintain a “yay folder”: a record of achievements and positive feedback that serves as evidence of that person’s contributions during performance reviews or advocacy moments. Leaders, meanwhile, should grow their awareness of quiet culture bias. This awareness can keep those in charge from making incorrect assumptions about a quieter person’s desire to contribute or level of engagement. Leaders should...

About the Speakers

Brooks E. Scott is an executive coach, interpersonal communications expert, and diversity and inclusion strategic advisor at Merging Path Coaching. He’s host of The Merging Path Podcast. Jessica Chen is an Emmy award-winning TV journalist, CEO of Soulcast Media, and the author of Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons.

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