Quiet Works, Making Silence The Secret Ingredient of the Workday with Joe McCormack
Release Date: 01/08/2025
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info_outlineWhat if too much collaboration can hinder productivity?
Our guest, author Joe McCormack, a communication expert who helps professionals navigate information overload, shares practical tips on how to balance collaboration with the essential quiet time needed for deep thinking.
Joe McCormack is a communication expert who helps professionals navigate information overload.
As an entrepreneur, he founded Sheffield Company and The BRIEF Lab, specializing in concise communication and leadership development. He's the author of "Brief," "Noise," and "Quiet Works," which address the challenges of focus and distraction. His work includes a podcast, "Just Saying," and the development of "Quiet Workplaces," dedicated spaces for focused work. Previously, he was a senior executive at Ketchum. Joe McCormack holds a BA in English Literature from Loyola University of Chicago.
In this episode, Joe discusses the release of his new book, Quiet Works, which is part of a trilogy focused on achieving clarity and intentionality at work.
Building on his previous works, Brief and Noise, Joe emphasizes the importance of making it easier for others to listen to us. He shares insights on how individuals can take responsibility for their communication and listening practices.
The conversation highlights the value of quiet time before engaging in discussions, underscoring its role in preparation and centeredness.
"Quiet is not a technique. It's an appointment." - Joe McCormack
SUPERPOWER Notes:
00:02:17 – The Challenge of Embracing Quiet: Joe discusses his initial resistance to quiet and the insights he gained while writing Noise, highlighting the internal noise that often distracts us.
00:06:48 – The Power of Scheduling Quiet: Joe explains how scheduling quiet time can lead to better preparation and improved performance in professional settings.
00:12:07 – Defining Quiet: Joe offers a practical definition of quiet in a professional context, emphasizing the need for dedicated time alone to think and reflect.
00:14:35 – The Importance of Preparation: The conversation highlights how preparation through quiet can enhance listening skills and overall communication effectiveness.
00:28:08 – Collaboration vs. personal time: Discussion on the balance between collaboration and the need for personal quiet time to think and reflect.
00:34:11 – Avoiding quiet and self-reflection: Exploration of why people often avoid quiet moments and the fear of confronting their own thoughts.
00:36:19 – The power of pausing decisions: Emphasizing the value of taking a moment to pause before making decisions to ensure they are well thought out.
00:41:29 – QCO: A Practical Tool for Meetings: Joe introduces the QCO (Question, Comment, Observation) technique to encourage thoughtful participation in meetings.
00:48:58 – The value of quiet moments: Discussing how quiet moments can enhance clarity and improve overall work performance.
00:54:25 – Quiet workplace: Ideas on designing workspaces that promote quiet and reduce distractions for improved employee well-being and productivity.
Key Takeaways
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"Quiet is not a technique. It's an appointment."- Joe McCormack
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"Anything that's worth doing in life is worth doing poorly."- Joe McCormack
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"Quiet allows me to slow down for a minute... it literally changed me as a person."- Joe McCormack
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"The quality of a person's listening being present in the moment makes a person.It changes everything.”- Joe McCormack
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"You need more time alone, not seven hours a day, but you need 10 minutes."- Joe McCormack
Resources Mentioned:
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Podcast Episode:Elite Communications Skills as a Competitive Advantage, Think Clearly and Communicate Concisely with Joe McCormack
Connect with Joe McCormack:
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https://josephmccormack.com/my-podcasts/
Connect with Raquel Ark:
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Mobile: + 491732340722
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LinkedIn: Raquel Ark