In many high school and college classes, my teacher would reward students who excelled in class participation, such as answering and asking questions. I was always a bit shy, and, like many students, wasn’t sure if what I wanted to add was intelligent, innovative, or even pertinent. I don’t think I truly understood the full importance of this concept, though.
Most of us were taught as such, that "the greater the student’s involvement or engagement in academic work or the academic
experience of college, the greater his or her level of knowledge acquisition and general cognitive development" (Pascarella & Terenzini 616).
This article explains further rationale for class participation:
Participation in the classroom can enable students to develop social skills, increase recall of information, improve presentation skills, and increase their scope for improving the quality of work.
I do not disagree that participation, at least, demonstrates attention and absorption of the material. This was my view at the time, yet I believe it goes further than this. I believe that class participation can train a student to be a successful business person. Let’s explore 3 of the items mentioned above: social skills, presentation skills, and increased scope for improving the quality of work.
When I’m forced to express my thoughts, such as this post here, I have to massage the idea in my head to make sure it’s correct and that I haven’t missed any glaring contradictions. But being correct is not enough – if I can’t express my idea in such as way that it’s both understood and concurred by the recipient, then my idea is worthless.
(Political aside:)In this world full of disagreement and hatred, the ideas are what separate people, and the expressions or presentations of the ideas are what will bring us together. As our enemy’s Public Relations improve, they are able to gain sympathy and understanding, despite the repugnance of their ideas.
(Return) One teacher of mine would tell the shy ones in the class not to worry, that the ones who participated and received credit were usually the ones who spoke out and lost credit, so it balances out. In the business world, outside of bureaucratic systems, the ones who are able to get the message of the company across, usually through sales, are handsomely rewarded. Even "speaking out" is rewarded, since the idea or product is only worth as much as the buyer is convinced it’s worth.
As far as increased scope for improving the quality of work, I discussed it in this post, how going beyond what’s given and obvious extends one’s abilities and value. At least, I think that’s what they’re talking about, so I won’t go into it again.
Therefore, anyone looking to succeed in business has to find their voice, hone their communication skills, and make themselves heard.