Research suggests a meeting will be perceived as valuable if participants feel their participation is valued. One study by D. J. Leach from Leeds University Business School, S. G. Rogelberg from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, P. B. Warr from the Institute of Work Psychology, and J. L. Burnfield from the Human Resources Organization, found involvement may be the most important factor in our rating of a meeting's effectiveness.

In Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, chapter 9 is titled, "When Should You Act More Extroverted Than You Really Are?" Meetings, as I see it, might be one place to consider acting more introverted. We already understand the typical dynamic being talk, talk, and more talk. Playing to our quieter strengths and preferring time to think can help us be more confident to talk in the moment that counts the most in a meeting. At the very least, our contribution might...