The Power of Silence in a World of Noise
In a world where speech is everywhere, learning to the power of silence can be a real asset. This power improves your listening skills. It can also reduce overstimulation, giving you more time to think before you speak. As the saying goes, “Confidence is silent, insecurities are loud.”
Take the example of Keanu Reeves, known for his role as John Wick. He speaks an average of 350 words per film. It is a striking figure that illustrates the actor’s tendency to remain discreet, both in his roles and in his personal life. He is not at all known for being a talkative person.
Empty Pot Makes Noise
This reminds me of a story my grandmother used to say, “If a pot makes a lot of noise, it’s empty”. This simple but profound wisdom applies perfectly to our daily lives. For example, in a professional setting, an employee or manager who talks nonstop may be hiding a lack of substance or trying to cover something up with a flood of unnecessary words.
Silence, far from being a weakness, is actually a form of great strength.
As Lao Tzu said: “Silence is a source of great strength.”
I love to read, and recently I finished a few books by Robert Greene, a specialist in human psychology. His writings reminded me that human communication is not limited to words. Much of what we express is nonverbal. It includes our emotions, our gestures and our body language, which are often more revealing than words.
Finally, it is interesting to note that those who talk too much quickly lose their power, while those who choose to talk less or keep silent exert a much greater influence.
The power game is often based on appearances and it is true that one of the key skills of leaders, whether CEOs or kings, is mastery of their time. These people know that their power depends not only on what they do but also on what they don’t reveal. They know more than they reveal.
If you use the power of silence, less you talk, the less others know about you, which limits the chances of conspiracies against you. By keeping a straight face and hiding your intentions, you create an aura of mystery that can inspire fear and respect.
Intellectual Person Never Talks Excessively
I’ve never met a truly intellectual person who talks excessively.
Conversely, I’ve observed that people who talk incessantly tend to make mistakes, betray themselves or say things that they regret later. Talking too much can also be a sign of logorrhea. It is a psychological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable flow of words.
In this case, individuals speak rapidly and frequently change the subject, often unrelated to the initial topic. They have difficulty stopping, which indicates that the problem of a mental disorder and not simply excessive egotism or a desire to show off. Logorrhea is often a reflection of a lack of internal dialogue.
People who talk a lot often have a self-centered view, believing that their concerns are the only ones that matter and that everything revolves around them. Individuals who perceive themselves as victims talk primarily about their problems, while narcissists focus on their successes and constantly seek approval from others.
In both cases, these people often dominate conversations with long, disconnected speeches and are severely lacking in understanding.
Excessive Talk Reflects Lack of Confidence:
Talking excessively can sometimes be a reflection of insecurity or a lack of self-confidence.
Although, it can also be the result of a disorder or a personality trait. There are also more ordinary reasons for talking excessively. It can be talking simply because you wanted to say something that is no longer relevant, interrupting someone, chatting to pass the time, talking out of habit, or to get noticed, lying, etc.
This tendency to talk too much can often be linked to excessive passivity or a lack of confidence and it is a mistake that can have negative consequences.
Too much detail or irrelevant language can distract from the main point, especially when introducing a new concept. Of course, context is crucial but there is a fine line between providing useful details and getting bogged down in unnecessary information.
Silence or Talking Less Has Many Benefits
Interviews, meetings and first dates are times when talking too much can backfire. These are occasions where both parties are assessing whether there is a fit or chemistry and require authenticity and sincerity. However, talking too much can hurt your image and make you appear as someone who lacks confidence and clarity. So, it is better to practice silence and talk when it is necessary.
If you are the interviewer, it is essential to set clear expectations from the beginning. You make it clear that you reserve the right to interrupt the candidate if necessary. One of the most effective ways to weaken the impact of your message when giving feedback is to talk too much, especially if your criticism is not relevant or constructive.
In my own professional experiences, I have noticed that my superiors react more positively when I simply thank them for their feedback and maintain my silence and measure in response to certain criticisms or suggestions for improvement.
Ultimately, excessive talking strains our cognitive abilities. Silence or talking less has many benefits. It improves your listening and reduces mental overload. Moreover, it gives you more time to think about your words and helps you avoid misunderstandings.
Try to maintain your silence. The less you talk, the more impact you have.
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Read More:
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Silence is Wisdom | Law of The Return
Silence | Why Does It Do Us So Much Good?
