Reframing Quiet in the Workplace with Lara Hayward
Quietness can bring so much value to a workplace. Yet, many of us have grown up believing that being reserved, reflective, or softly spoken means we’ll be overlooked, underestimated, or left behind.
These two workshops, led by Lara Hayward, ex-lawyer and Strategic Lead for Creative Careers & Sustainability at Oxford University, invite us to see things differently. Lara, who also identifies as introverted, shares a thoughtful and grounded exploration of what it means to thrive in work while staying true to your quieter nature.
Workshop 1: How to Reframe Quiet as a Strength in Your Career
In this first session, Lara guides us through the process of reframing how we see quietness in the workplace. Together, we explore how quieter qualities, like thoughtfulness, listening deeply, and careful observation, are powerful and needed strengths, not shortcomings.
If you’ve ever felt like you need to pretend to be someone louder or more outgoing to fit in, this workshop offers a chance to pause, reflect, and begin to see yourself differently.
You’ll find this first session especially helpful if you:
- See your quietness or introversion as a weakness at work
- Feel that being more reflective or gentle is holding you back from opportunities
- Struggle to find your voice in meetings or interviews
- Want to express your quieter strengths with confidence and clarity
Through Lara’s compassionate and practical approach, you’ll start to recognise that there is no single way to succeed at work, and that your quieter qualities can bring depth, creativity, and steadiness to any team.
You can watch the first workshop here:
How to Reframe Quiet as a Strength in Your Career with Lara Hayward
Workshop 2: How You Can Thrive as a Quieter Person in the Workplace
In the follow-up workshop, Lara returns to continue the conversation. Building on the ideas from the first session, she explores how to navigate your career path in ways that honour your quieter nature.
This session is an opportunity to reflect on your next steps, whether you’re re-entering the workplace, changing direction, or wanting to grow in confidence where you are now.
You’ll be gently guided to consider practical ways to communicate your value, find work environments that fit your temperament, and make choices that align with your energy and strengths.
This workshop is for you if you’re currently:
- Wanting to grow or make a change in your career without feeling you need to ‘be louder’
- Feeling hesitant about speaking up or taking on visible roles
- Wondering how to stay authentic and calm while navigating work expectations
- Ready to embrace your quieter nature as a genuine strength
You can watch the second workshop here:
How You Can Thrive as a Quieter Person in the Workplace with Lara Hayward
Take Space to Reflect
Together, these two workshops form a kind and supportive exploration of quietness in the workplace. They offer practical insight, gentle encouragement, and real-life examples of how quiet people can contribute meaningfully and lead with integrity.
You’re welcome to watch both workshops in your own time, pause to journal or reflect, and notice what resonates most deeply for you.
They’re here as part of our ongoing exploration of how we can all show up more authentically in work and life, valuing the quiet qualities that make us who we are.
If you’ve found value in these workshops and would like to help us continue creating calm, supportive spaces for quieter people to grow and connect, you’re warmly invited to make a donation at quietconnections.co.uk/donate. Your support helps our community thrive.
