There is this interesting way of thinking that if you are not the type of person who speaks up often, then you are not a leader. Even if you have all the other typical qualities of a leader and work a million times harder to prove that you are a leader who simply has a different leadership style, you will not fit into “the type” that others identify as leaders.
Being quiet does not make someone incapable of taking on a leadership position. In fact, these people take the time to observe what is happening and think critically before formulating a response that can actually address the issues in a situation. They are the ones who have a clear picture of everything that is going on, and in many instances, know what needs to be done and who can best accomplish the work. Having this knowledge can help them build a stronger team and delegate the tasks to the appropriate people.
‘Great leaders don’t tell you what to do. They show you how it’s done.’
– Unknown
On the other hand, someone who is always speaking is not listening. Just because there is a bit of silence after someone shares does not mean you have to fill it up with your talking to keep the conversation going. Take the time to actually digest what is being said before you respond. There are also people who are constantly speaking but actually have no idea what they are talking about. They don’t know what happens behind-the-scenes and are trying to cover that up with a bunch of words. Speaking up often does not mean that you know what is going on.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for someone to fill a leadership position, you shouldn’t immediately dismiss those who don’t speak up as often. Rather, you should consider all the qualities and traits of the individual and whether they are competent.