Smart, Not Loud Audiobook By Jessica Chen cover art

Smart, Not Loud

How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons

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Smart, Not Loud

By: Jessica Chen
Narrated by: Jessica Chen
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About this listen

Longlisted for the Non-Obvious Books Award, 2024

Ever wonder why the “loud” people at work get noticed, rewarded, and promoted? Do you worry that you need to be loud to succeed at work, too?

When Jessica Chen entered the workforce, she felt like everything she had been taught growing up in a Quiet Culture household—where deference, humility, harmony, and dogged hard work were praised—failed to set her up for success in the “real world.” Her ingrained values were in direct contrast with what was actually needed to stand out in a Loud Culture workplace. The result? Feeling underappreciated, passed over for opportunities and promotions, and completely stuck.

Building on the lessons she learned as an award-winning TV news journalist, Chen—who now speaks at Fortune 100 companies and whose LinkedIn Learning courses have been watched by over 2 million people—introduces a new way of getting noticed at work, without being loud, aggressive, or boastful. In Smart, Not Loud, Chen teaches listeners how they can look within, to the values they already hold, to more effectively show up. Through instructive anecdotes and research-backed principles, listeners will learn to:

  • speak up at meetings using the 4A Sequence (active listening, acknowledging, anchoring, and answering);
  • advocate for themselves with tact;
  • build strategic relationships to enhance credibility and get picked for the best projects;
  • and master the five elements of voice—pitch, rate, intensity, inflection, and quality—to be the kind of communicator others want to listen to.

Packed with actionable tips, Smart, Not Loud unveils a new path to getting noticed and getting ahead at work. This is the road map listeners need to authentically show up in the workplace and truly feel seen.

©2024 Jessica Chen (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Career Success Communication & Social Skills Personal Development Personal Success
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Critic reviews

*A Next Big Idea Club Must-Read of 2024*

“I believe this is one of the very best books on communication I’ve ever read. A must read for anyone and everyone in business today!”—Bob Burg, bestselling coauthor of The Go-Giver

“A master guide for how to thrive at work. Chen shows us the way to be heard without having to be loud.”—Vanessa Van Edwards, national bestselling author of Cues and Captivate

Smart, Not Loud is great for anyone who wants to get better at understanding their quiet coworkers, and it helps those who are naturally quiet find ways to speak up and stand up for themselves effectively.”—Matt Abrahams, lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, and host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast

All stars
Most relevant  
Navigating the workplace with various personalities and communicators is difficult. This book describes how to improve your communication with others.

Helpful for all communicators

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I enjoyed the examples and clear instructions for implementing the techniques described in the book.

The structure

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it was based from real life work experience; techniques as opportunities 4 improvement were provided.

highly relatable

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I gained valuable insights from this book. Jessica shares numerous lessons learned and real-life scenarios, particularly from the perspective of an Asian minority. As an Asian American, I can see how her techniques can be immediately applied in my workplace. I highly recommend this book!

Lots of valuable lessons from Jessica that I can apply to workplace right away.

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An eye opening look into how to improve your communication and positioning in your career and beyond.

Enlightening, Engaging, and Empowering.

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I’m a professional executive with a lot of confidence, but lately I find myself holding back and staying quiet during executive meetings. Was hoping for a candid assessment and practical tools to overcome the temptation to let others dominate with their ideas.

Sadly, not the case. Jessica lost me when she fell back on the tired myth that nobody wants to listen to her because she is a “double minority.”Can’t be the fault of her ideas or communication? Has to be because of her race or sex. Not buying it. Wish I could get a refund.

Had high hopes but disappointed.

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