Rain or thunder?
“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
— Rumi
Many of us have experienced the frustration of feeling unheard at work.
Perhaps we’ve had ideas overlooked. Or watched others command attention more easily, or found ourselves speaking louder, trying to repeat our point more forcefully. It’s easy to feel frustrated and disappointed when we feel unheard.
Pressure can exert undue pressure: our instinct is often to turn up the volume, to push harder, to say more
Yet Rumi’s centuries-old observation offers a different perspective:
“It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
Thunder may be dramatic, but it doesn’t create growth
The same is often true in organisations. Those who have influence are not necessarily the loudest people in the room. They are the people whose words are impactful, relevant and well-timed. They understand that being heard is not simply about speaking; it’s about creating the conditions for others to listen. Their impact is loud, not their behaviour.
This can be particularly challenging in organisations where meetings move quickly, strong personalities dominate discussions and decisions appear to be made before everyone has had a chance to contribute. In these environments, it’s easy to feel the need to be more forceful. But instead, we encourage you to consider how you might strengthen the quality of your contribution rather than the volume of it.
- Can you frame your idea around an issue the organisation is trying to solve?
- Can you connect your suggestion to a strategic priority or compelling opportunity?
- Can you ask questions that encourage others to think differently?
- Can you communicate more clearly and concisely?
The people who consistently shape conversations are not doing the talking, they are helping others make sense of complexity, bringing clarity to a situation. That’s the rain.
Of course, there are times when we must be courageous, assertive, and speak up. But courage and volume are not mutual requirements.
So, the next time you feel your voice is not heard, remember there is no requirement to speak louder. Instead, focus on the quality of your words. Make them clearer, more purposeful, and super relevant to those around you.
Over time, thoughtful and intentional contributions build credibility. Credibility builds trust. And trust creates the conditions for a high-performing team (we’ve written about this before!). Like rain, the impact may not always be immediate, but it is often far more powerful than thunder.
