Incorporating silence in your meetings
Lorraine K. Lee
Corporate Keynote Speaker & Trainer | LinkedIn Learning, Stanford CSP Instructor | Ex-Founding Editor at LinkedIn, Prezi | Author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career (Wiley 2025)
Hi Reader,
When I began running my own meetings as a manager, one of the most difficult things I had to do was learn to lean into the silence. Often if someone didn’t speak up right away after I asked a question, I felt self-conscious and uncomfortable.
?? Tip of the Day
Despite that discomfort, I know just how important it is to incorporate a "thoughtful pause" after posing a question or introducing a key topic. This brief moment allows everyone to process their thoughts before diving into the discussion.
Pause 5 seconds (at 4 seconds, people start getting uncomfortable and usually someone speaks up) after asking a question. People also need more time to digest information virtually and they’re also worrying about speaking over one another due to the nature of video calls.
Pausing is step 3 in my “Passive to Active Meeting Framework.” Want to see the other steps (and brief video training) to create better meetings and say bye to Zoom fatigue?
? Lorraine’s Latest
I’m going on my honeymoon this week! I will be out of the office for 2 weeks, so if you email me I won’t reply until I’m back. However, I'll still be sending out my weekly newsletters, so stick around. :)
领英推荐
?Ask Me Anything (AMA)?
I’m experimenting with new newsletter ideas, including responding to subscriber questions. Like it? Hate it? Love it? Let me know by leaving a comment. :)
Q: Is LinkedIn even necessary? Would it hurt my career to not have one?
Thanks for reading!
Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
All my favorite LinkedIn tips and best practices to help put your best foot forward. You’ll learn everything from profile optimization and networking to content creation and unconventional ways to use the platform. Get it here. Need a little more time to decide? (Get the first part here for free).
I’ve helped the Fortune 100, tech firms, non-profits, and more train their employees to gain confidence, grow competence, and gain valuable skills to help them stand out. In 2022, 100% of attendees surveyed said they learned something new, and I received a speaker rating of 4.92/5.
Click here or send over a DM and let’s start a conversation.
Ready to get your brand in front of 40,000+ engaged subscribers? Download my media kit or send over a DM and let’s start a conversation.
I Help Shy Introverts Build Confidence to Get New Opportunities! | Former Shy Engineer ?? ?? Confident Public Speaker, Career Coach, and ?? Program Manager | PMP
8 个月Some people just need to pause when they speak! They go for several minutes without stopping to ask if there's questions or engage with the audience!
Retired IT. For fun I offer chat facilitation on group Zoom calls! | Spirit & Holism Rev. | Perspectivist | Author & Blogger | Teaches: Mirrorball Perspectives, Fractals, Interconnectedness, and Sacred Wisdom
8 个月Do you think we're afraid of silence because most are too scared of the thoughts that might come up within themselves?
Next Trend Realty LLC./wwwHar.com/Chester-Swanson/agent_cbswan
8 个月Thanks for posting.
Should have Played Quidditch for England
8 个月Silence is so powerful Lorraine K. Lee
CEO | Sr. Sales Manager, VP of Sales
8 个月Great article is to CEO a lot of times people shut up around me and I need to hear what’s going on all the way from the shop floor to the shipping floor. Need to know what’s going on in engineering R&D and financials every day.