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On Silence

image: https://pixabay.com/photos/flower-lonely-alone-moss-stone-1739892/


Sometimes I talk too much.

Have you ever said anything that you regret? If you're telling the truth, I'm going to guess "yes."

Leaders do that sometimes. And, while we owe it to our teams to speak up and express ourselves clearly, there are times when silence is better. Silence is better when the words you are about to speak are better spoken by someone else. Silence is better when the opportunity is for the team to learn from their own words and actions. Silence is better when the words we are about to say are in anger.

How can we know the difference? When do we need to speak up and when do we need to shut up?

Try this: pause for three seconds and at least one deep breath (more if you can.) Your answer may appear in that silence.

-- doug smith


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