How Intentional Silence Transforms Conversations.
Have you ever noticed how the loudest voice in the room isn’t always the one with the most nuanced and insightful ideas?
In my workshops, I often use the power of silence. Before the discussion begins, I invite people to pause. “Grab a pen if you’re a writer, or lean back and let your mind wander.”
Silence invites speech.
I witnessed this again last month during a workshop with government staff across Eastern Africa. The room was a beautiful mix of cultures, experiences, and hierarchies. As the quiet settled, some wrote intently while others contemplated deeply. Everyone had something meaningful to share when the conversation began—not just the usual quick responders or members of management.
Over years of facilitation, I’ve observed this pattern: Pausing to think before speaking inspires broader participation. The quiet ones, the deep thinkers, the careful observers—all contribute. People listen differently. They lean in, asking “What else did you write down?” with genuine curiosity.
Think about your last meeting. How many valuable ideas remained unspoken because there wasn’t space to form them? Because the conversation moved too quickly?
This isn’t merely about inclusion (though it is). It’s about getting to the good stuff. When someone sits with their thoughts, even briefly, they contribute something unique—not just their first reaction, but something they’ve thought about. This creates a good starting point for deeper conversational exploration.
It’s beautifully simple.
Pause. Think. Then talk.
What if we began all meetings this way, with a genuine invitation for deep thinking?
I’d love to hear your thoughts (after you’ve had a moment to reflect). How do you create space for all voices, especially the quiet ones?
The bit at the end
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Creatively,
Nadia
P.S.The paintings featured on the blog are my own.
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