Few techniques in Project Management are as straightforward as this one, yet it’s a powerful tool for your next meeting.
When you want to understand a stakeholder’s perspective, you simply ask. However, if you sense they haven’t shared everything, what should you do next?
The answer is: nothing. Silence can be so uncomfortable that people will often fill it with more information than they initially intended to share.
When someone asks you a question, what’s your best response?
Take a moment of pause. You may have learned in school that quick answers impress teachers, but this isn’t the classroom. Responding too quickly can suggest the question was easy, which implies you might not have been challenged.
A pause, on the other hand, conveys that you’re taking the question seriously, allowing you to craft a thoughtful response. Silence can be flattering and gives you time to formulate your answer carefully.
Now, if you’re about to present a project, what’s the first thing you should do when you take the stage?
Embrace silence. A ‘Power Pause’ allows you to gauge your audience, capture their attention, and project confidence. Jumping right in can come across as nervousness, and asking your audience for quiet sets a submissive tone.
I could provide many more examples of the effectiveness of silence, but I won’t.
Here’s the rule of silence: in any conversation or meeting, the person who is most comfortable with silence holds the advantage.
Start harnessing the power of silence today!
References
Credits for this video go to Mike Clayton and onlinepmcourses.com
