Conversation Planner · for managers
How to talk to an employee who doesn't speak up in meetings
Read the approach below, or skip ahead and get a plan written for your own situation.
Plan my conversation — free ↓Why the usual approach fails
"You need to speak up more" adds pressure to someone for whom the room already feels risky. Quiet people usually need time to think or a way in. Change the conditions — ask in advance, give them a slot — and the contribution follows.
How to open
"The idea you shared with me on Tuesday was the best one I heard all week, and the team never got to hear it. I'd like to figure out what would make it easier to bring those into the room."
Ask before you tell
- "What goes through your mind in those meetings?"
- "What makes it hard to jump in?"
- "What would make it easier — time to prepare, a set slot, something else?"
What to agree before you leave the room
One contribution in the next meeting that you set up in advance, so they know exactly when the floor is theirs.
Make it yours — free
Edit the details below to match your situation and get a full five-step COACH plan by email.
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Built on the COACH method by Jon Kludt, Business Coach · Certified EOS Implementer® · thecoachconversation.com