Leadership Skills: Silence

Saying nothing…sometimes says the most. 

During keynotes, I pause and observe the energy in the room. Pausing gives emphasis to what I’ve just said. Pausing provides an opportunity for the audience to reflect on and absorb what I have said. In order for this to work, I need to create value in the choice of words. In music, every note played is important. In leading, every word and every gesture provide meaning and emphasis for understanding the message. Silence can provide a context for this understanding.

In rehearsing long hours under the baton of Robert Shaw, I observed many ways that he impacted the ensembles. Typically, he would drill a chorus in a particular passage to get an exact effect. After each repetition, he would pause in silence as if he were listening to an instant playback in his mind. After this pregnant pause, he would speak as the singers were ready to receive his wisdom. The few seconds seemed much longer than they actually were. Nevertheless, the room waited in silence and eager anticipation to receive the words from the maestro.

Contrast this with the conductor or leader who jumps in to fill every moment with chatter. This overstimulation with noise creates a negative result – instead of drawing attention from the room, it actually desensitizes the participants and impairs effective communication and leadership.

Do you want to talk about this? Please comment.