How to support quieter voices to be heard

We know that teams work best when everyone is able to contribute – as one example, the Project Aristotle research from Google found that in the highest-performing teams, everyone is contributing on a regular basis. However, there are many reasons why some people on your team might be quieter than others, ranging from the individual (e.g., someone who’s more introverted) to the systemic (e.g., someone from an underestimated group or someone from a different cultural background).

The shift to more hybrid and remote work has only complicated things. On the one hand, some people may find it easier to make their opinions heard in a different context (e.g., when using a virtual whiteboard for brainstorming), whereas others may find it harder (e.g., speaking up in a Zoom meeting). And what happens on a blended team where some people are together in person and some are virtual?

As a manager, it seems harder than ever to support everyone on your team and ensure that everyone is able to contribute. We’ll talk about strategies to:

• Identify the folks on your team who are quieter
• Support these folks without making them feel like they’ve been put on-the-spot, which can be difficult for some
• Help the louder folks on a team learn to make space for quieter voices, without making anyone feel silenced

Throughout, we’ll discuss how to adapt these strategies to remote or hybrid teams. Lastly, we’ll consider broader trends in engineering and discuss the skills managers will need to cultivate in order to support quieter voices in the shifting work landscape of the future.

About the speaker
Valerie Phoenix is a self-taught developer and engineering manager (currently at Alma, previously at Spring Health) focused on creating user-centered digital experiences. She’s passionate about spreading the financial wealth offered by the tech industry. Valerie founded the Tech By Choice nonprofit to teach more human skills to individuals from underestimated backgrounds looking to break into the tech industry.

Agenda for the session

• 30 min – Presentation and Q&A (this part will be recorded & shared later)
• 30 min – Discussion in small groups, where you can chat with peers about your own challenges and learnings (this part won't be recorded)

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