Worried Volunteering Quote by Chris Voss
““If I just ask for a volunteer, my students sit on their hands and look away. You’ve been there. You can almost feel your back muscles tense as you think, Oh please, don’t call on me. So I don’t ask. Instead, I say, “In case you’re worried about volunteering to role-play with me in front of the class, I want to tell you in advance … it’s going to be horrible.” After the laughter dies down, I then say, “And those of you who do volunteer will probably get more out of this than anyone else.” I always end up with more volunteers than I need.””
About This Quote
By framing volunteering as a risky but rewarding activity and pre‑emptively addressing fear, he encourages more participation, turning reluctance into enthusiasm.
In simple terms: He makes volunteering sound scary then rewarding, getting more volunteers.
Key Takeaway
Use honest framing to reduce fear and increase engagement.
Themes
communication
leadership
motivation
psychology
strategy
Mood
encouraging
strategic
Type
advice
psychological
When to use this quote
- team building
- education
- public speaking
Key Concepts
behavioral science
management
training
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear affect willingness to volunteer?
- What other techniques can boost participation?
A Different Perspective
Some may feel manipulated by fear tactics.
