Haud Yer Wheest! The Power of Silence In Leadership.

In the dynamic world of leadership, where communication is often paramount, the power of silence can be a surprisingly effective tool. While many leaders may feel compelled to fill every moment with words, a strategically placed silence can create a space for deeper reflection, connection, and influence.

Have you ever worked with a leader who, annoyingly, has all the answers?

Or what about the leader who likes the sound of their own voice?

We’ve all been to those meetings and heard those presentations.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place to inspire and engage with some rousing messages, but there is also a time to step back and let other voices fill the room.

As Simon Sinek puts it “Learn to be the last to speak”.  You’ll get your turn to share your perspective on the subject, but the moment you share it let your team build on your idea and something called ‘authority bias’ kicks in.

How about learning the skill of saying nothing instead? Ask a cracking question and then ‘haud yer wheest’ as we might say here in Scotland. In other words, stay quiet and see what emerges. Leave space for your team to think.

They’ll appreciate it, particularly those who prefer to think before they speak.  By leaving room for your team to process the question and consider their perspective, you’re letting them know their opinion counts.  

Try it and watch what happens over a period of time.  Your team might, at first, look at each other and wonder what’s changed, they’re probably just used to you being the one ‘leading the way’. But the more they’re asked for their view on things, the more comfortable they will become in sharing it.  When there is no pressure to fill the void, your team members will be more likely to share their thoughts and concerns. It becomes a safe space where trust can be built.

Being able to stay silent takes practice.  If you’ve been used to filling the gaps and answering the questions, leaving the space might feel uncomfortable at first.

Ride it out, this is not about making people feel awkward, this is actually a mark of respect and shows that other people’s opinions matter.  Maintain a calm and supportive posture and keep eye contact – not in a creepy ‘I’m going to glare at you until you answer the question’ type way, but in a way that says, ‘you’re opinion counts, and you have my full attention’.

This is not a new concept, the Greek philosopher Epictetus was on to something 2000 years ago when he said, “We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak”

By staying quiet, you’ll be able to listen more. Listen to what your team say, listen to what they don’t say, and remember to listen with your eyes as well as your ears.

It's a powerful leadership tool that can build trust and confidence. By incorporating strategic moments of silence into your leadership style, you can create a more meaningful and impactful experience for your team.