Hi,
Thanks for joining me this week.
As a reminder:
I’ll send you a useful tip each week to help you improve your communication skills.
TIP OF THE WEEK
We're uncomfortable with silence.
You've probably noticed this in your own conversations - that urge to fill every quiet moment, to jump in with a response, to keep the conversation moving.
But what if our discomfort with silence is causing us to miss its power?
Think about your last difficult conversation.
How many times did you jump in to fill a pause?
How often did you respond before the other person had fully finished their thought?
In hostage negotiations, silence is often more powerful than words. When millions are at stake and lives hang in the balance, what you don't say becomes as crucial as what you do.
But here's what's fascinating: The same force that moves someone to open up in a crisis works in everyday moments - from tense team meetings to difficult family conversations.
Most of us rush to fill silence because we find it uncomfortable.
Most people misunderstand silence.
They see it as passive, awkward, or weak.
But in reality, silence is doing important work beneath the surface.
Here's what silence actually does:
- Creates space for real thinking
- Lets emotions settle
- Shows confidence and control
- Invites others to go deeper
- Builds tension (in a good way)
- Shows you're truly listening
Strategic silence is active.
It's a powerful tool.
When you stay silent:
- You give others time to process
- You resist the urge to fix or fill
- You create space
- You demonstrate patience
- You build trust through presence
Try this: In your next important conversation, pause for three full seconds before responding.
It will feel like an eternity.
But watch what happens - people often continue speaking, sharing deeper thoughts they wouldn't have expressed if you had jumped in.
Key Takeaway
Silence isn't the absence of communication, it's communication at its most powerful.
1 QUESTION FOR YOU
Where are you talking when you should be listening?
2 QUOTES THAT STOOD OUT TO ME THIS WEEK
“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective”
- Stephen R. Covey
“There is only one rule for being a good talker—learn to listen”
- Christopher Morley
Until next week,
Scott
P.S. If you enjoyed my Sunday Times bestseller, Order Out of Chaos, you’ll love my follow-up, Eye of The Storm, out May 8th, 2025.
It’s packed with new insights and practical tools to help you stay calm, act decisively, and thrive under pressure.
Whether you're facing challenges at home, managing workplace demands, or dealing with daily stresses, this book will help you build resilience, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships.
I don’t know about you, but that seems like a great outcome for the year ahead!
Take advantage of early bird discounts and pre-order your copy here.
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