Episode 109: Guest David Hall - If You Think More Than You Speak, You’re Not Broken—You’re Dangerous

This one’s for every engineer who’s ever been told to “speak up more” without being given a blueprint.

David Hall—author of Minding Your Time and host of The Quiet and Strong Podcast—joins us to dismantle the noise around introversion in the workplace. He’s not here with theory. This is tactical, field-tested insight for deep thinkers who want to lead without pretending to be extroverts.

We go deep into how to use your internal processor to drive action, earn respect, and stop being overlooked in rooms full of noise.

Key Topics Covered
• What introversion really is (and why most people get it totally wrong)
• The difference between shyness and quiet—and why the confusion screws careers
• How internal processors can dominate meetings without dominating airtime
• Strategic silence: how to build presence before you speak
• The energy cost of context-switching and how to reclaim your calendar
• Using Clifton Strengths to stop fighting yourself and start accelerating
• Tools for managers working with introverted engineers
• Misconceptions about leadership—and how the loudest voice often lacks the most value
• The power of concise, confident delivery when you're not the one talking nonstop
• How David built a podcast and wrote a book as a so-called “quiet” person

Actionable Steps
• Write down one insight and one question before every meeting
• Speak within the first five minutes of a call—even just once—to shift perception
• Request agendas ahead of time so you can prep like a weapon
• Block your calendar for recharge time and deep thinking—not just tasks
• Build a “someday” list to offload ideas that are valuable but not urgent
• Tell your manager how you work best—don’t assume they know
• Stop managing to everyone else’s energy—optimize for yours
• Use written follow-ups after meetings to drop clarity bombs
• Set decision deadlines to avoid drowning in overthinking
• Stop trying to match extrovert volume—match their impact

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers who feel unseen or undervalued in loud team environments
• ICs who know they’re capable but get dismissed as “quiet”
• First-time managers trying to lead introverted reports effectively
• Burned-out overthinkers looking for structure and clarity
• High-performers who hate traditional networking bullshit

Why It Matters
You don’t need to be loud to lead—but you do need to be heard. Quiet minds build rockets, develop systems, and lead teams. But when your silence is misunderstood, your impact dies in the dark. This episode is about reclaiming visibility without selling out who you are. Your gifts are powerful—if you learn how to use them.

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.