I've noticed that in team meetings, the loudest voices often dominate, and I've been wondering: is assertiveness really the most important soft skill for career growth, or are quieter abilities like active listening and empathy undervalued? My own experience shows that being a good listener has opened more doors than speaking up ever did, but maybe I'm biased because I'm introverted. Would you say that in the long run, empathy matters more than assertiveness in the workplace? I'm genuinely curious.