What Weve Got Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate: The Plight of the Tongue-Tied

Miscommunication happens for all kinds of reasons sometimes because there is no communication at all. Some people simply clam up in small-group settings, often because they think others are smarter or of higher status. If speaking up is hard for you to do in small groups, you can take comfort that the people who froze the most in the study were actually the smartest. Otherwise, you can cope by preparing before the meeting (practice your delivery and bring notes), telling the person running the meeting beforehand that you have some points and would like the opportunity to be called upon, or joining with a more outgoing or higher-status member in the group who can bring up your points and then toss you an opening.

YOUR CALL Do you tend to go silent in some small-group settings or social situations? Perhaps its not that youre shy, but rather an introvert and want to collect your thoughts before speakinghard to do in the company of extroverts who think out loud. Could any of the advice above work for you?