Benefiting from The Power of Silence

Shhh. Close your eyes, shut out the noisy world for a few seconds, and take a few deep breaths. Do you feel how relaxing that is? Research has proven there are many health benefits to quiet time. Do you know there are also leadership benefits to silence?

We live in an environment that is increasingly loud and noisy. We can get so used to it that when we have a quiet moment, we feel compelled to interrupt the silence by saying something or turning on music. This often causes us to miss the opportunity of using the power of silence.

I recall my mother-in-law remarking that everything in our house talked or made noises. She was referring to the “dings” from the microwave, “beeps” from the dishwasher, “chimes” from our grandfather clock, and on and on and on. She was right. Even when all was quiet, the constant hum of our HVAC unit filled the air.

In the movie, The Great Debaters, based on a true story, Melvin Tolson, a professor of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Wiley College in 1935 Texas, inspired the college debate team to defeat Harvard University in a debate. In the closing segment, the very young debater, James Farmer Jr., stood silently at the podium and scanned the attendees for several seconds without saying a word. Intentionally. That was a powerful moment.

At that moment, it was as if time stood still. There, on the grandest podium of this prestigious institution of education, one very young black man stood facing the crowd while everyone waited for him to speak. And he did not speak for a few seconds, which I am sure to some felt like minutes. It commanded everyone to focus on him and what he had to say. You could hear a pin drop.

When he broke the silence, he already had full command of the moment. That started the segment of the debate that earned him a standing ovation. While some of that may have been the theatrical drama of the movie, you get the point: Silence can be used to accomplish a goal.

How Leaders Can Benefit from The Power of Silence

• Silence commands attention. When you have the floor, a well-designed silence will force the desired attention to you. At that point, you can influence the path forward. A strategy used to claim the power of the room. Be intentional when using this strategy. Use non-verbal cues to “work” the room during the period of silence so you don’t look awkward or lost for words.

• Silence provokes the thought. It’s a pause for effect and done mid-conversation. When you drop someone into the vacuum of silence, their minds will start racing. They will be asking questions internally. A well-placed pause will drive the questions they ponder. Why? What’s next? What’s the plan? How is that? It’s powerful after making a point that you want the audience to internalize or asking a question you want them to reflect on. However, don’t leave your audience hanging. Close the loop after the pause by offering the answer or emphasizing the point you made.

• Silence allows you to listen and be in touch. Listen and give your speaker your undivided attention. This allows you to understand their non-verbal communication. This strategy is used by those with Leadership Presence (the ability to authentically and charismatically connect, inspire, and build confidence in others). These leaders spend more time listening. Their silence helps them observe and absorb information. It also gives them an aura that causes others to want to follow them and know more about them.

• Silence allows you to gather your thoughts and regain self-confidence. This can be taking time out for reflection on an unknown path to bring it into focus. It can also be a rapid impromptu moment to get back in control. For example, take a three-second moment of silence and a couple of deep breaths to overcome butterflies before a big presentation. Or, take a brief personal pause to regain emotional control while in a crucial conversation.

Don’t get me wrong. There are times when we should not be silent. Situations sometimes demand we make “good trouble.” However, there are many positive prompts on the power of silence.

 Silence can never be misquoted.

– Calvin Coolidge

A verse in my favorite book, the Bible, Eccl 3:7 (KJV) says there is “… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” Another verse reads, “Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief,” Prov 21:23 (MSG). And of course, those in relationships learn an important lesson about being quick to hear and slow to speak. That is, silence can diffuse a debate and even save a union. These are all true.

What is also true is that leaders can benefit from being quiet. We just need to know how to harness the power of silence.

Empowered Leader Reflection

What other benefits have you experienced as a leader from intentionally being silent?

Would you help us grow by sharing other benefits in the Reply section below?