Silence

Leveraging the Quiet Power of Silence

July 5, 2021ColleenCurrent Events, LeadershipLeave a comment

As many parts of our society re-open and we enter a phase of the “new normal,” quiet time has never been more important.

We’ve become a plugged-in world. It’s not just the office, with its constant stream of interruptions, meetings, and distractions. It’s outside office hours, too, that seem to offer no respite from noise.

Zoom meetings disrupt home routines. During a relaxing dinner out, even if we’re chatting face to face with a friend, we abruptly ignore them to answer our phone.

We even take our phones into the bathroom with us. And into the bedroom…

Do we even remember what silence is? Most people shun it and have become so used to 24-7 noise that they’re uncomfortable in the silence.

And yet, silence is a powerful healer. The more hectic our lives are, the more we need silence. Our souls demand it.

Scientific data notes the mighty benefits of silence – its restorative abilities not only reduce stress, but can increase creativity, cognitive functions, and elevate mood.

Take a moment right now – in the silence – and discover why silence is truly golden – and good for your overall wellbeing.

Structured Silence: Going Beyond the Noise

What do author JK Rowling, psychiatrist Carl Jung, and Governor Jerry Brown have in common?

They all credit dedicated periods of silence as a component of their success.

The busier our lives are, the more critical it is for us to cultivate times of silence.

Silence fuels the brain, boosts energy levels, and even increases production of brain cells.

Recent research confirms the benefits of silence:

  • A study by Imke Kirste of Duke Medical School discovered that silence can stimulate the development of new brain cells in the hippocampus – the area of learning and memory.
  • Psychologist Jonathan Smallwood discovered that creativity was boosted when one is able to be in silence and focus self-generated thought – thoughts that occur when the mind is not interacting with the outside.
  • Physician Luciano Bernardi discovered that just two minutes of silence between musical pieces created more balance to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems than even ‘relaxing’ music.

The Impact of Noise in the Workplace

On the flip side, noise in the workplace can harm morale, creativity, and production.

  • The Journal of Environmental Psychology published a 2013 survey study noting that participants working in open floor plans were frustrated by distractions that they felt held their performance back. Nearly half the 43,000 employees surveyed felt the benefits of increased interaction of open floor plans were outweighed by the negative effects of increased noise levels.
  • The New Yorker reviewed research on open-plan offices and discovered that it did not enhance employee performance: it hurt productivity, attention spans, and hindered creative thinking and satisfaction.

“Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.” ― Frank Ocean

Quiet Introvert or Bold Extrovert Leader: Which Style of Leadership for the Future?

Extroverted leadership is openly exhibited in politics, leading many to believe that the louder one speaks, the more boastful one is, and that bragging about achievements and being a noisemaker comprise a great leader.

Not so fast.

New research has discovered that for tackling the historic challenges of the world today, a quiet and introverted style of leadership may be the better way.

In an Open Learn article, we read that the value of introverts, notably in leadership, is not valued enough – this according to Susan Cain, author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” She cites two notable introverts: Steve Jobs of Apple and physicist Albert Einstein.

The Hidden Power of an Introverted Leader

Research notes the benefits of introverts in leadership positions. Introverts:

  • Tend to listen to their teams more
  • Are humble, and more likely to give credit to their team
  • Give more thought before taking any action
  • Are unlikely to jeopardize performance by seeking greater benefits, such as money or power

This might be surprising to some, but it’s true: the workforce is made up of 40-60% introverts. Their success in leadership positions comes in their ability to listen – not to react – but to respond. And in today’s turbulent world, listening is a greatly valued trait.

Words Aren’t Everything:  Silence in Leadership

Successful leaders know the value of silence – it can speak louder than words.

Avery Blank offers leaders ways to make the most of silence in her Forbes article:

The value of silence can:

  • Highlight a point. Fewer words means we’re heard – when it matters most.
  • Cultivate trust. To build trust, we must listen –dominating with excess chatter does the opposite.
  • Empower others. It allows our team members to speak up with their ideas and give them opportunity to lead. It builds respect – and boosts our impact and reach as leaders.
  • Bring power during business negotiations. Silence can be a strategic tool that leaves a person wondering what you’re thinking.

Every leader should make a daily commitment to silence – even for just a few moments.

In the busy, noisy, congested (and increasingly digital) world we live in, many may think silence is meaningless, that it’s empty space that must be filled.

Not so.

We’re so busy listening to the world that we don’t take time to listen to ourselves, to self-reflect, to let our brains immerse in quiet healing, to take note of things we’ve overlooked.

And just as importantly, silence helps us hear things that are drowned out in our plugged-in world – leaves gently rustling on a windy day, birds singing their melodies, even the songs of evening insects on a warm summer night.

Sure, many people want to be seen – and heard. But the most important to first see and hear is ourself. Until we can do that, we really can’t do much of a good job seeing or hearing anyone else.

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” -Ram Dass

Want thought-provoking leadership tips you can use in your daily life? Sign up here to receive our Weekly Bold Move. It’s simple, to-the-point and absolutely free.  Your journey to bold, authentic transformation starts right here.

Introverted leadership

The Quiet Power of Introverted Leaders

April 17, 2019ColleenIndustry News, UncategorizedLeave a comment

We all know the stereotype of a “successful” leader – outgoing, charismatic, well-rounded, unflappable, confident and assertive – with a pedigree from a top school, of course. In short…an extrovert.

But how accurate is this? (hint: it’s not – few of us fit into any particular “mold”)

Where do introverts fit into the leadership equation?

If you’re an introvert, you’ve probably encountered statements like these during your career:

  • Try being a little more social; you’ll attract so many more opportunities that way.
  • If I were you, I’d speak up more so people actually know what you’re thinking.
  • Be more outgoing! If you want to climb the corporate ladder, you’ve got to be noticed.

Despite conventional wisdom and decades of conditioning in many workplace cultures that outgoing, extroverted leadership is the only way to success, here’s what we really know: introverts make great leaders (oh yes we do!).

How so? Let’s start by putting things in perspective with a great quote from author Rob Asghar in a Forbes article on introverts in leadership:

“There’s no one-size-fits-all kind of leader. The manner of leader your organization needs always depends on the situation.”

power of introverted leadersNow more than ever, the dynamic world we live in demands a range of talented individuals to lead in innovative new ways. It’s undeniable there are settings where extroverts are the best fit. But more and more, organizations are leveraging the distinct advantages introverts can bring.

With their quiet presence, introverted leaders offer a number of benefits

Introverted leaders are often:

  • Driven by productivity. But how will they lead? That’s a common question when hiring an introvert, even when she meets all the other qualifications of the job. Truth? Introverts are absolutely driven to succeed – they’re simply motivated by different factors than their more extroverted counterparts. They may not be as concerned about shining in the limelight, but you can bet their steady presence will guide the organization to success.
  • Pros at solving complex problems. Introverts are able to give thoughtful consideration to problems large and small, methodically outlining the pros and cons to determine the best path forward. Far from adopting a “my way or the highway” mentality, many introverts welcome input and feedback from their teams to develop the smartest course of action.
  • Masterful decision-makers. Decision-making and leadership go hand-in-hand. Here’s a little science for you – a 2012 study found that introverts were more inclined to have larger, thicker gray matter in their prefrontal cortex as compared to extroverts. The prefrontal cortex is associated with abstract thinking and decision-making.
  • Able to develop meaningful relationships. One of the biggest misconceptions about introverts is that they’re not social or interested in building relationships. Yet, many often possess an uncanny ability to strategically develop and maintain lasting relationships. Introverts can be excellent, thoughtful listeners and often do well in one-on-one settings or in smaller groups.
  • Wizards at bringing out the best in others. Introverts value the unique contributions of others and generally emphasize a “we” rather than a more narrow “me” focus. According to an HBR article, “In a dynamic, unpredictable environment, introverts are often more effective leaders—particularly when workers are proactive, offering ideas for improving the business.”

Introverted leadershipIntroverted leaders are all around us

“In an increasingly distracted and fast-changing world, we need thoughtful, calm leaders whose capacity for focus and observation are absolutely necessary for teams.”

–Henna Inam in Forbes

You may not realize it, but introverted leaders are all around us. In fact, some of the most impactful leaders and change makers throughout history were introverts.

May Inc.com’s list of 23 of the Most Amazingly Successful Introverts in History inspire you today. Some names here might surprise you – but what this really shows is how we all have a unique, meaningful purpose to share with the world.

Here are a few notable names that you may never have guessed are introverts:

  • Former First Lady Hilary Clinton
  • Civil rights activist Rosa Parks
  • Microsoft founder Bill Gates
  • Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg
  • Former US President Barack Obama

Introvert…extrovert…or ambivert?

But what if it feels like you don’t fit into any category – introvert or extrovert? You’re not alone – I’ve actually found that about two-thirds of us are not true extroverts or introverts. We’re actually ambiverts.

Ambiverts have aspects of both traits at their disposal. In other words, think “continuum” rather than “category.” For those of us who don’t fall into any category but rather somewhere on that continuum, the benefits can be substantial because we can thrive in a wider spectrum of environments.

In the real world, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. At different times in life, we may discover that we’re more aligned with extroverted qualities; at other times, we embrace our inner introvert.

No matter where you fall on the spectrum, know that we are each here to live our purpose and to make a meaningful impact in our world. How will you leverage your unique capabilities to make that happen?

Get a fresh burst of leadership inspiration each week with my FREE Weekly Bold Move – sign up today!