The Benefits of ‘Awkward’ Silence

Today’s world is primed for instant gratification. We often feel pressure to reply immediately to emails and texts, and even in conversation. We fear “dead air” and so hasten to say no something…anything...even when responding to a complex question.
 
However, numerous business leaders—notably Apple’s Tim Cook and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos—are known for taking a pause in conversation in order to carefully consider what they will say next. Justin Bariso, author of EQ Applied, writing in Inc., notes that while those on the receiving end of 10, 20, even 30 seconds of silence may feel uncomfortable at first, their reward is a thoughtfully considered answer…the result of critical thinking that would be impossible without taking time.
 
According to Bariso, embracing “awkward silence” allows us to:

• Put the outside world on mute
• Exercise thinking faculties
• Get to root problems more effectively
• Give deeper, more thoughtful answers
• Bring emotions into balance
• Remain in harmony with our values and principles
• Increase confidence
• Say what we mean, and mean what we say
  
  

Says the author, “That may sound like a lot for 10 to 20 seconds, but you'll be surprised what your brain can accomplish once it's given a little more time to do what it was designed to do: think things through.”
 
When was the last time you allowed a buffer of silence before addressing a complicated topic—and how do you feel when others do so? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.  We would love to hear from you!

---