TLP437: “Quiet isn’t a technique. It’s an appointment” -Joseph McCormack

Joseph McCormack, founder of the Sheffield Company and author of “Quiet Works: Making Silence the Secret Ingredient of the Workday.” In this episode, he dives into the impact of noise on productivity and leadership. He argues that constant distractions from digital devices and the "badge of busyness" undermine thoughtful leadership. In his latest book, he emphasizes that quiet time isn’t simply a break from work but a critical part of it. He explains that silence enables leaders to engage in deliberate thinking, make clearer decisions, and improve operational efficiency. He also explores how balancing collaboration with intentional quiet work can foster innovation and resilience among teams, equipping leaders to provide calm, decisive guidance amidst high-pressure situations.

 

https://bit.ly/TLP-437

 

Key Takeaways:

[01:27] Joe introduces his focus on helping leaders combat distractions and manage the overwhelming amount of noise in today’s fast-paced world. He stresses that finding clarity requires slowing down, even in high-stress environments like those in the special operations community.

[04:48] Joe explains how noise—distractions from digital devices and constant interruptions—hinders leaders' ability to think clearly and make intentional decisions. He advocates for brevity and quiet time as key strategies for cutting through clutter.

[09:29] He suggests scheduling quiet time as a necessary appointment, not a luxury, allowing leaders to think without distractions. Even brief moments of reflection, such as five or ten minutes, can have significant impacts on decision-making and creativity.

[13:59] Joe highlights that not all tasks are emergencies, even though many leaders feel they are constantly in crisis mode. He advises leaders to delay non-urgent tasks, regaining control by saying “not now” instead of an immediate "yes."

[17:16] Joe recounts an interaction with a special operations commander, who despite being extremely busy, set a calm and deliberate tone, demonstrating how slowing down and remaining composed instills confidence in others.

[26:50] He encourages setting boundaries in collaborative workspaces, such as using headphones or signs to indicate when deep work is needed. Establishing boundaries helps leaders protect time for quiet work without seeming unapproachable or disconnected.

[33:34] Joe shares his personal experience realizing the value of quiet during the writing of Noise. He stopped writing to integrate quiet time into his routine, finding that even brief moments of silence led to better decision-making and clarity in communication.

[35:57] Final challenge: Joe encourages listeners to start with small quiet moments—such as sitting in silence at a stoplight or beginning a meeting with two minutes of quiet—emphasizing that leaders will find value in these practices.

[39:27] Closing quote: Remember, “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quiet in a room alone.” ― Blaise Pascal

 

Quotable Quotes

“To lead is to be deliberate. Asking yourself, am I deliberate? Do I think about my people? Am I focusing on what really matters today?”​

“Practice the 'seven to seven' rule - avoid checking phones before 7am and after 7pm”

“Start meetings with two minutes of quiet for agenda reflection.”

"You actually have to slow down to keep up.”

"Give yourself a minute and do nothing. That’s why people have great ideas in showers. Just do nothing for a minute... Silence gives you clarity."​

"Quiet isn’t a technique. It’s an appointment. It’s not how I do it, it’s that I do it."​

"It’s precious to know what’s important, what matters, how do we achieve victories of clarity? That’s where you win or you stop trying and you quit."​

“All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quiet in a room alone.” ― Blaise Pascal 

 

Resources Mentioned

• The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com

• Sponsored by | www.darley.com

• Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com

• Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com

• Joe McCormack’s LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/the-brief-lab

• Joe McCormack’s Website | thebrieflab.com

• Joe McCormack’s Twitter | @joe__mccormack