Silence: The Best Communication Skill Ever

In every sphere of life, knowing when to speak and when not to speak matters a whole lot if you’re going to be successful in your relationships with people. Heck, even the Bible says we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. So how is it that some people don’t know how to be quiet? Someone once said that the best relationship is with someone who keeps you company during the noise (speaking/talking) and during the silence. Silence truly, is the best communication skill ever and this is how to know when to speak and when to be quiet and this applies to all forms of relationships:

You speak when:

• Your opinion is sought: In the course of any conversation, when someone seeks your opinion, it is a good time to say your mind on the subject precisely.
• You can change the situation: You should say something if your input will improve the situation.
• You want to let your feelings known: Rather than bottle up your feelings on any subject, to let peace reign, you should express your feelings to your listener to avoid bursting into a full rage when you can’t take it anymore.
• You notice a great opportunity: If you miss a great opportunity because you did not say something, anything, you’ll regret it for a long time so speak your mind when you know you just might never get the chance again.

You keep silent when:

• You have nothing to say: being quiet when there’s nothing to say is not a sin. People need to get comfortable with silence as it does not always mean something’s wrong. Deliberate speaking is crucial to effective communication and the success of all relationships.
• It’s better left unsaid: Some things are better off not said out loud as they are completely irrelevant opinions or feelings. Also, this is the right attitude for keeping something someone told you in confidence. You want to be trusted so don’t break a confidence by spilling the beans.
• Your listener is active: if your listener isn’t a part of the conversation anymore, you might as well stop talking as you won’t be communicating your message effectively.
• You’re considering your response: To keep yourself from saying those really hurtful things you can’t take back when in an argument or quarrel, be quiet so as to give time to get the right perspective before giving out your response.

Learn to talk less, say more. When you use your words, use them because they will brighten someone’s day and because they will teach people something valuable. Don’t just use words for the sake of using them. Use them because you have something to say. Many times, the ability to remain silent is the best communication strength you could have.