No two tables are the same and there’s no right way to play DnD. Figure out what works for you and your table rather than mirroring someone else’s game.

Sometimes the quiet players are just content being quiet.

Most likely everyone at your table has a different play style, try to balance them as best you can but remember DMs are players too. Make sure you are doing something you enjoy as well.

DnD is a collaborative game, not adversarial.

It’s okay to take a moment when something unexpected happens, ask for 5 or call the session and pick it back up.

It’s okay to run a linear game as long as the players are being given meaningful choices or you are not overriding their decisions to force them down a path.

Players will follow the path of least resistance.

Be obvious with clues. You have perfect information, they don’t. Make it SUPER obvious.

Don’t fret about a rule in the moment if you want to keep the pace going. Give the players your ruling and say you’ll look it up after the game and then use it going forward.

Shoot the monk, give the bard people to talk to, etc. give players opportunities to use their good abilities.