Watch Out for 'Silence is Agreement' in Meetings

Let's have a deeper look at a concept by which often managers are running meetings: the unspoken silence is agreement, a rule that nobody challenges openly during the meeting, because well, silence is consent with the rule itself.

And why am I bothered by this routine? Because I think it leads to the worst outcome of a team decision in an organisation. So let's look at the three extreme of behaviour in a team-meeting where a new project or idea is being presented by a manager:

1. Everybody expresses agreement in terms such as Yes, Not bad, Why not, If you say so, Sure or by simply nodding heads.
2. Everybody challenges the proposal: No way because, I don't think it will work, Not sure it's a good idea.
3. Everybody remains silent. No eyeblink, no nodding, no expression. The heavy, sometimes embarrassing, silence. 

So, can anyone say that, as a result, silence is agreement ? No, silence is not agreement. Silence, when a new idea is being presented, indicates lack of engagement in the team and it cries out the dangerous I don't care. Whatever. Silence is not agreement because people who care speak out in a healthy work environment.

While a proposal that everybody agrees with in unanimity might be just the result of group-thinking, managers should seek to lead meetings where their ideas are being challenged by all participants. Because the best arguments always win and the best decision for an organisation is the one challenged, thought-through and taken care of by all the team members.

Silence is agreement is the worst situation a manager could face in a meeting, as I experienced as well. A like-minded approval with no discussions could be positive for the organisation only if the manager is a genius, while initial challenge should be the best situation a manager could be in.

But silence is fraught with danger, so watch out !