Sometimes we give the most attention to the person who speaks the most and the loudest. But think about a time when you were in a meeting and the person who spoke the least was actually the loudest presence in the room. That person’s silence can speak volumes. They may communicate the importance of truly listening, that they are taking the time to think before speaking, or that their opinions are not valid until considering other’s perspectives.
Being a leader may require your silence versus speaking. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Speak only if it improves the silence.”