Executive branch Quote by Susan Cain
““In Maya’s group, the “executive branch,” everyone is talking at once. Maya hangs back. Samantha, tall and plump in a purple T-shirt, takes charge. She pulls a sandwich bag from her knapsack and announces, “Whoever’s holding the plastic bag gets to talk!” The students pass around the bag, each contributing a thought in turn. They remind me of the kids in The Lord of the Flies civic-mindedly passing around their conch shell, at least until all hell breaks loose.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain, 2012
In group settings, a simple token can structure turn‑taking, giving each voice a chance and preventing chaos.
In simple terms: A token helps manage group conversation.
Key Takeaway
Use a shared object to organize speaking order.
Themes
communication
structure
inclusion
Mood
thoughtful
orderly
Type
practical
instructional
When to use this quote
- classroom discussions
- team meetings
- workshops
- online forums
Key Concepts
turn‑taking
social dynamics
group facilitation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a physical token change group dynamics?
- What alternatives exist for virtual settings?
A Different Perspective
If participants ignore the token, dominance may re‑emerge.
![“I take the Constitution very seriously. The biggest problems that we're facing right now have to do with [the president] trying to bring more and more power into the executive branch and not go through Congress at all. And that's what I intend to reverse when I'm President of the United States of…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec6/barack-obama-17_america_i-take-the-constitution-very-seriously-t_95034.jpg)
