In meetings, there are many types of silence. First, there is the embarrassed silence of the team when top managers come to promote their vision. If you have a distributed team across various locations, you likely need to meet with these teams occasionally. While you want to convince and promote your drive, there is always the risk of listening to yourself too much. You know how to talk, but it shouldn’t be a monologue. It’s tempting to start by promoting your personal viewpoint, but this approach lacks the opportunity to hear others.

The second type of silence is respectful. We let others have space to express themselves. We don’t interrupt or throw smileys in the chat while someone is speaking. As a manager, learning to listen is crucial. It takes time to build trust. Human beings are good at hiding their thoughts, and some feel more confident than others in expressing themselves during a meeting. One-on-one appointments are an opportunity to get feedback from more introverted colleagues.

The third type of silence is the comfort of being together as a team. You’ve managed to build a space where everyone knows they can share their thoughts without being censored. Before deciding on something as a manager, ensure everyone has the opportunity to talk. Recognize all contributions if you’re in charge of summing up the meeting.

Embracing silence in meetings can be transformative. By giving team members space to think and express themselves, you create an environment of trust and collaboration. Instead of filling every silence with your thoughts, take a step back and listen. You might be surprised by the valuable insights and ideas that emerge.