Last time, we explored Beyond the Buzzword – What Does “Connection” Really Mean? This was about how real connection happens, when both inner understanding and outer acknowledgement happen in synch with each other. If you missed it, you can catch up here
In a world that rewards fast replies, constant updates, and high output, silence can feel like a threat. A lost moment. A missed chance.
Yet what if silence is the moment when real communication actually begins?
We often think of communication as what is being said. What about the pauses though? The breath before a response? The moment someone hesitates – or chooses not to speak.
To take communication to the next level, we’re not just exchanging information – we’re cultivating presence. And in that presence, silence isn’t empty. It’s alive.
Why Silence Matters
We’re taught to listen for words, and yet the nervous system listens for more:
- The pause before someone answers.
- The breath between thoughts.
- The moment someone doesn’t say something – and everything that still speaks – our facial expressions, gestures etc.
Silence can signal thoughtfulness. Respect. Emotional safety.
Or it can bring up discomfort, impatience, even fear – not because it’s bad, but because we’re not used to it.
In Indigenous and wisdom traditions, silence is often sacred, such as within the peoples of the Northwest Coast in North America. It’s where the unseen becomes felt. Where stories gestate. Where truth surfaces without being forced.
Deeper Listening
Of course, deeper listening comes hand-in-hand with silence. To practice regenerative communication is to recognise silence as a co-creative space.
Just as soil needs rest between seasons, so too does speech need space to breathe.
Try this:
- After someone finishes speaking, count to three before you respond.
- When you feel tempted to fill a pause, ask: What wants to emerge here if I wait?
- If you’re unsure what to say, honour that. Let the silence speak for you.
What Becomes Possible in the Pause?
When we stop filling every space with sound, a few surprising things start to happen:
- People say more meaningful things – because they feel listened to.
- We notice more – tone, emotion, body language.
- Conversations slow down – and often go deeper.
Silence can also be a form of invitation. It allows others to reflect, to speak from a truer place, to feel held without pressure.
Reflection for the Week
- Where in your life are you rushing to fill the silence?
- What does silence feel like in your body?
- How can you practice listening beyond words this week?
“Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything.”
– Gordon Hempton –
[Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton collects sounds from around the world.]
In communication, silence is not a lack – it’s a doorway.
With warmest wishes,
Korinne Le Page
Thrive Coaching & Training – Empowering You to Thrive!
P.S. Feel free to share your experiences and insights!
P.P.S. Book a complimentary Clarity Session with me here
#Communication #ThoughtForTheWeek #ThriveCoachingTraining #Connection #Silence #Leadership