The power of silence

We live in a very noisy world, whether in terms of noise pollution, the media or our professional environments with meetings and telephone exchanges among other things.

It's all about who talks the loudest and fastest.

This kind of pollution is nothing new: as far back as antiquity, the Pythagoreans had this principle: “Men are taught to speak; they should be taught to be silent. Speech dissipates thought, silence accumulates it”.

On reflection (in silence), this has virtues.

Doctors tell us that prolonged silence lowers our blood pressure, develops our intuitive quotient and our sense of well-being.

Whether you develop your ability to be quieter by turning your tongue seven times in your mouth or by practicing cardiac coherence or meditation - the list is not exhaustive - it can only have a positive impact on your professional relationships:

• In face-to-face encounters, especially with introverts, it allows time for reflection and promotes balance in the exchange.

• In a group, periods of silence allow the group to listen to each other and encourage group building.

More generally, by not responding immediately, by taking the time to listen and feel what the other person has to say, we accept the fact that we're on the line with ourselves, that we can get away from immediate emotions, introspect and prepare to respond more serenely.

We've all seen the effect of silence in speeches, when experienced speakers leave time for silence to catch our attention on this or that point in their development.

Silence doesn't just mean remaining silent in front of your interlocutor or audience. A simple, neutral reformulation is enough.

Your non-verbal behaviour also plays a major role: a curious, benevolent look or an open attitude gives your interlocutor a feeling of active listening.

Pythagoras' apprentice disciples had to spend five years without being allowed to speak, in order to learn the virtue of silence.

Can you wait a few more seconds before answering?