Ponder the power of silence.
It was said of a distinguished general, “He can hold his tongue in 10 languages.”
We often think that the power of a leader depends on the ability to say just the right thing at the right time. Sometimes, however, leadership is sharpened by the ability to be silent. Try these leadership tips involving silence.
- If you are in charge of a meeting, start with 30 seconds of silence to allow attendees to move fully from whatever they were just doing to the meeting. Note how it makes a difference.
- Listen reflectively. Leaders need to listen actively and empathetically to understand their team members’ concerns and ideas. Silence during these conversations encourages team members to express themselves fully, knowing their leader is genuinely interested in what they have to say.
- Prompt self-reflection. Leaders can use silence to prompt introspection among team members. By allowing a moment of quiet after asking a thought-provoking question, leaders give individuals the space to reflect on their own thoughts and come up with deeper insights.
- Encourage accountability. When mistakes are made, leaders can use silence to allow individuals to take responsibility for their actions. The pause signals that the leader expects the responsible person to step forward and address the situation.
- Inspire thought. By pausing and taking time to think before responding, leaders show that they value the question or idea being presented. This encourages team members to think more deeply and come up with well-thought-out proposals.
- Instill confidence. Sometimes, a leader’s silence can communicate trust and confidence in their team. When a leader remains silent during a challenge or decision-making process, it shows that they believe in their team’s ability to handle the situation.
Respectfully,
RelationSmiths, Nancy and Sharon
This week’s challenge: Notice where generous silence can be empowering.
