Executives: Discover the power of strategic silence

OFTEN, we try to correct mistakes.

- By Dr. Shantha P. Yahanpath

Parents try to correct mistakes of children and teachers try to correct mistakes of students. But, by correcting mistakes are we sabotaging the learning effect? And when it comes to the competitive landscape isn’t it better to let the competitors make mistakes? This is where the strategic silence comes into play.Strategic silence is when you intentionally choose not to speak or react immediately to achieve a specific outcome. Often it is a short-term pause expecting a medium-term positive outcome.

Some people are born with the ‘strategic silence’’ skill and others must work hard to develop this critical skill. Of course, silence doesn’t come across as a skill in our day-to-day life. But it is a critical skill we tend to learn very late in life. But if you can learn this potent skill early in your career you are on to a winner. What is stopping us from acquiring this skill? There are many obstacles to gaining this critical skill early in your career. What are they?

™ natural bias to react and/or tell our story

® desire to “win” an argument

® viewing silence as losing status

® lack of understanding the value of silence

™ underestimating the cost of quick reaction

We want quick solutions to complex problems. With the increasing use of AI and social media, we have become impatient because they solve many problems quickly. So, things stack up against strategic silence and taking the time and waiting on solutions.

However, the discipline to remain a silent observer is a rare and potent form of power. There are three key benefits behind this approach:

®™ conservation of energy

@ avoidance of self-inflicted decline

™ avoidance of unintended consolidation/ withdrawal

® preserving family and community relationships