When we think about communication, what typically comes to mind is words: what is said, to whom it’s said, and when it’s said. Less of our focus revolves around the silences in conversation and how silence influences our understanding of each other and the world we inhabit.
This program invites participants into reflecting on and considering how they relate to silence and what it means in their interactions at work or in their personal lives. We touch on the idea of silence as listening as well as silence as action and how it may be interpreted by others. Participants come away with refreshed perspective on when, how, and why to embrace silence and maximize its utility in conversation.
In this program, workshop participants will:
- Define and understand silence as it manifests in dialogue.
- Recognize how silence influences the words around it.
- Learn to use silence pro-actively.
- Probe into the relationship between silence and dignity.
- Consider intentionality with silence.
- Understand silence as action.
