Every successful leader knows that great ideas and valuable insights don’t just come from the top, they come from everywhere. Some of the most powerful contributions come from the people who are rarely heard, the quiet voices at the edges of our teams, our communities, and our organisations.
Empowering the unheard isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. It leads to better decisions, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of shared ownership.
Here’s how to give a voice to the underdog and create an environment where every person feels seen, valued, and empowered to contribute.
1. Start with the mindset: everyone has something valuable to say. The first step is to believe, truly believe, that every individual has insight worth hearing. Leaders who think this way automatically listen differently. They look for the gold in every conversation.
Practical Tip: In every meeting or engagement, make it a rule that the quietest person in the room gets invited to speak at least once. Ask open questions like, “What’s your view on this?” or “What have we missed?” When you expect value from everyone, you start to find it everywhere.
2. Create safe spaces for expression. Many people remain unheard because they don’t feel safe to speak. Fear of judgment, rejection, or “saying the wrong thing” holds them back. Your job as a leader or engagement professional is to remove that fear.
Practical Tip: Use small groups, informal check-ins, or anonymous feedback tools to encourage honest input. Let people choose the format that feels most comfortable for them. The more safety you create, the more truth you’ll hear.
3. Listen with intention and respect. Listening is more than hearing words; it’s showing people that what they say matters. When you listen well, people feel respected. And respect breed’s trust.
Practical Tip: When someone shares a concern or idea, don’t interrupt. Let them finish. Then reflect back what you heard: “What I’m hearing is that you value…” or “You’re saying that…” This confirms understanding and builds rapport instantly. Leaders who listen well build stronger connections and gain deeper insights.
4. Amplify, don’t edit. When you bring seldom-heard voices to the table, make sure you amplify them, not reshape their messages to fit your agenda. Real empowerment means giving people the stage, not just the spotlight.
Practical Tip: Quote and credit community members or employees directly when sharing outcomes or reports. Use their own words where possible. Let others hear their voice, not your translation of it. When people see their ideas represented accurately, they feel a sense of pride and belonging that no policy can manufacture.
5. Turn insights into action. Empowerment without action is just lip service. When people share their perspectives, show them that their input leads to real results.
Practical Tip: Always close the loop. After a public consultation or engagement exercise, share what was heard, what decisions were made, and how feedback shaped the outcome. Even small updates build credibility. People support what they help create. When they see their voice making a difference, engagement grows exponentially.
6. Make it a habit, not a one-off. Empowering seldom-heard voices isn’t an event, it’s a practice. It’s about building systems and habits that keep inclusivity alive long after the campaign or project ends.
Practical Tip: Schedule regular listening sessions, rotate meeting chairs, or invite guest contributors from different backgrounds and levels. Keep the flow of new perspectives constant. Repetition builds culture. The more consistently you include people, the stronger and more inclusive your organisation becomes.
The best leaders don’t just talk, they listen, they learn, and they lift others up. Giving a voice to the underdog is about more than fairness, it’s about unlocking potential. When we amplify the voices of the seldom heard, we discover new ideas, strengthen trust, and create progress that truly belongs to everyone. Remember: people rise to the level of belief that others have in them. So, believe in their value, listen with purpose, and act with integrity, and you’ll empower not just individuals, but entire communities.
Rapport North 