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“Silence is a source of great strength.” – Lau Tzu

The words of philosopher Lau Tzu are not wishful musings; they are backed up by science. A study found that in a high-pressure situation, both parties could gain power if they leveraged silence. (1)

These days, most people are focused on getting time back. They attempt to do so by multi-tasking: listening to podcasts or digital books while commuting, streaming TV shows while they clean, using mobile devices during meals, and many more ways. People have inundated themselves with noise.

When noise is the norm, silence becomes a powerful differentiator. Psychologically, people feel an urge to break the silence when they are talking to someone. Silence can feel awkward and even uncomfortable. Those who resist the urge to speak first can often gain power by having the confidence to overcome this troublesome feeling.

Why People Fear Silence

 The fear of silence has become especially prevalent in the 21st century. People living in the United States are bombarded with noise all day, every day. Technology has even made it possible to have multiple forms of sound happening simultaneously. In addition to sources such as music and TV, most people live in areas surrounded by neighbors and/or businesses. This situation introduces a variety of manmade sounds that include car and motorcycle engines, landscaping equipment and children playing.

While some people get annoyed by this constant noise, many find it comforting – even if they do not realize it. Why? It has become a normal part of their daily lives. So, when the sound stops, people instinctively feel uneasy.

Silence Is Healthy

Being surrounded by ceaseless noise can cause psychological harm. Constant noise drives a continuous stream of thoughts that can make it difficult to relax, feel at peace, and even sleep. This state of being “on” all the time often leads to problems such as anxiety, stress and circulatory system issues. If left unchecked long term, feeling on edge this way can contribute to severe and chronic health conditions.

In contrast, silence fosters the growth of neurons – a process that is essential for good health. The absence of noise also supports mental clarity and the easing of tension. It is easier to live in the moment and get in touch with oneself without noise interfering.

Gaining Power with Silence

 So, how can people harness silence in their professional lives to gain power? These tips will help.

  • Negotiating – Pause when the other party proposes several potential solutions. Do not respond immediately.
  • Asking questions – Stop after asking a question. Do not rush to add an explanation.
  • Conversing one-on-one – Practice active listening. Make it a point to spend more time listening than speaking.
  • Conversing in a group – Speak up sparingly in a group setting. Answer one or two questions, not all.
  • Setting goals – Rather than controlling the narrative, ask workers and others to share methods for achieving goals and solutions to problems.
  • In meetings – Allow everyone to speak. Some colleagues will appreciate the silence to formulate ideas as they do have something valuable to offer.
  • Different cultures – Respect cultural structures and norms. The most senior leader may only speak, others may speak only when spoken to, the senior leader may use silence to indicate consideration.

Building Wisdom with Silence

Less is definitely more when it comes to the effect of speaking on wisdom. Instead, it is essential to spend a great deal of time listening. After all, listening is the only way to digest information.

Apelles was a brilliant painter during early Roman rule.  While none of his works survive for current consumption, his reputation for detail-oriented, flawless work has been passed down for centuries.

One reason for the perfection of Apelles’ paintings was his passion for getting unbiased feedback. He often displayed his paintings and hid to hear the opinion of passersby. One instance is particularly famous. A shoemaker commented (without knowing that Apelles was in earshot) that a sandal in one painting was inaccurate. Apelles promptly fixed the mistake. Several weeks later, the shoemaker returned and saw the revised painting.  Apelles, hiding within hearing range, was pleased when the shoemaker confirmed the correction.  An ardent fervor for listening helped Apelles become a great artist who is well known to this day, even without physical evidence of his talent.

Add Silence to Daily Life

 While the many distractions of daily life can make silence seem unattainable, this is not the case! Anyone can add quiet time to their daily lives by following a few simple tips:

  • Meditate for a few minutes daily. Focus on breathing and do not now allow distractions to detract from the present moment.
  • Take a walk outside somewhere quiet, without listening to music, talking or text messaging. Fully experience the natural surroundings.
  • Gaze out the window when riding in the car as a passenger or taking public transit.
  • Eat a meal or drink coffee without watching TV, streaming Netflix or similar, listening to a podcast or reading.

Silence may be quiet, but its power creates a massive rippling effect. The tips presented in this article will help readers leverage this power to benefit their personal and professional life.

Uncertain times call for creative thinking. Contact Gavel International to be inspired with solutions that connect and engage your people.
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SOURCES:

  1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1468794117694220?journalCode=qrja
Eloisa Mendez
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