When silence says it all

There is the silence that rests. And the one that weighs.

In the teams I support, I see silences that prevent progress , even if everyone continues to play the game.

Here are three types of silences I often encounter:

🔹 1. Strategic silence: “I’m not going to get myself into trouble.” This is a cautious silence . We sense tension, but we avoid naming it. We don’t want to offend, appear confrontational, or lose face.

💡 What we observe: Meetings are cordial, but go in circles. Real decisions are made elsewhere, by two or three people. And we talk about "alignment" where there is only the fear of displeasing.

🔹 2. Defensive silence: “I don’t feel safe here.” Deeper. Heavier. Often linked to a climate of judgment, overload, or exhaustion.

💡 What we're seeing: Some colleagues are withdrawing. Others are becoming sarcastic or cynical. People are rarely speaking... or are overly calibrated. Connections are crumbling. Authenticity is disappearing.

🔹 3. The silence of disengagement: "What's the point of talking?" This silence occurs when the collective no longer believes in change. When there have been too many unaddressed frustrations. Too many top-down decisions. Too little recognition.

💡 What we observe: The tone is neutral. The energy is flat. We execute without question. The team becomes "functional"... but lifeless.

🎯 As a leader, the challenge isn't to force people to speak. It's to create a framework in which speaking becomes possible again.

And it often starts with a simple posture: Slow down. Observe. Dare to ask a real question. And don't run away from the answer.

🔹 #TeamClimate #PresenceLeadership #RealDialogue #CultureOfTruth