The markets are silent — that is worrying
Three decades ago I became fascinated by the concept of 'social silence' — or the idea advanced by intellectuals such as Pierre Bourdieu
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Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Giving Space In Communication: The Silent Art Of Connection
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, MCC Founder, Motiva International, Team Coach § Coach Supervisor § Leadership Trainer § Author. In a world that often glorifies fast responses and assertive expression, the concept of "giving space" in communication can feel counterintuitive. Yet, this subtle, often unspoken, skill is a cornerstone of emotionally intelligent and effective interaction. Whether in leadership, personal relationships, coaching or teamwork, knowing when not to speak, when to pause and how to hold silence is just as vital as finding the right words. Giving space in communication is the practice of consciously stepping back—mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically—to allow the other person the freedom to think, feel, express or simply be. It's about resisting the impulse to interrupt, solve, correct or steer the conversation. Instead, it's a deliberate invitation for the other party to fill the silence on their own terms. It is not withdrawal or passivity. Rather, it's an active choice to honor the presence, pace and perspective of another. Giving space encourages authentic expression. When we give others room to speak and reflect, they feel safer expressing their thoughts and emotions genuinely. This kind of openness deepens trust and strengthens the relationship. People are more likely to share ideas, admit mistakes or voice concerns in environments where they don't feel rushed or judged. It also reduces reactivity. By allowing moments of silence or breathing room, we reduce the risk of reactive or defensive communication. This space creates an emotional buffer that helps people respond rather than react. Pausing shows that you are not just waiting to speak but are truly absorbing what the other person is saying. It makes listening visible. Finally, it strengthens inner clarity. Sometimes the best support we can offer is not advice but the gift of time and space for the other person to arrive at their own insight. This is particularly powerful in coaching, mentoring and leadership. The impact of not giving space can be costly. Conversations become transactional rather than relational; misunderstandings increase because people feel unheard or rushed; team creativity and contribution suffer as quieter voices are drowned out; emotions escalate quickly in conflict situations; and relationships erode over time due to the accumulation of micro-invalidations. Set the tone with your body language. Open posture, gentle eye contact and calm facial expressions signal that it's safe to take one's time. Pause before you respond. Don't rush to fill silence. A three- to five-second pause allows emotions to settle and shows presence. This small gap can change the entire tone of the conversation. Ask, then wait. After posing a question—especially one that requires reflection—resist the urge to rephrase the question or "help" the person answer. Hold the silence, patiently. Notice nonverbal cues. Sometimes, people communicate a need for space without words. Restlessness, eye movements or long pauses may indicate that they need more time. Respect that. Let go of the need to fix. Often, especially in emotionally charged conversations, our impulse is to jump in with a solution. Giving space means trusting the process and the person in front of you. • In which relationships do you tend to "fill the space" too quickly? • What would it look like to pause more intentionally during conversations? • How do you feel when someone gives you the space to fully express yourself? Next time you're in a conversation, ask yourself not just, "What do I want to say?" but also, "What kind of space am I creating for this person to be themselves?" Giving space in communication is a quiet superpower. It requires self-regulation, humility and presence. In a noisy world, the ability to offer silence—to truly hold space—can be one of the most generous acts we perform. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
The markets are silent — that is worrying
Three decades ago I became fascinated by the concept of 'social silence' — or the idea advanced by intellectuals such as Pierre Bourdieu
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Research shows it's normal for relationship satisfaction to vary lots
You may find it reassuring to learn that often, people's satisfaction levels vary quite a lot within a relationship, even within a short space of time, a new study says. Satisfaction with your partner or relationship can fluctuate significantly within a few days or even within a single day, according to a psychological study carried out in Germany. This finding could help to better support couples, by showing them in therapy that fluctuating satisfaction is perfectly normal to a certain extent and does not necessarily jeopardise a relationship. Be clear about your own needs At the same time, experiencing fluctuations in satisfaction can show couples in romantic relationships that their needs are not being fully met - so could be a signal that improvement is needed. "To this end, partners should be clear about their needs and express them appropriately," says psychologist Louisa Scheling, lead author of the University of Mainz study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The extent to which the partner is perceived as approachable or responsive has a significant influence on satisfaction. A certain "emotional instability in men" also has a significant effect, the study says. That may be because women are more accustomed to emotional fluctuations due to their hormonal cycles. In men, on the other hand, emotional instability tends to be attributed to relationship dynamics, the authors say. "Reliable perception and fulfilment of needs by the partner contributes significantly to stable relationship satisfaction in everyday life," says Scheling. Ultimately, it is similar to a parent-child relationship, she adds. "If needs are consistently met, then satisfaction remains stable at a high level." Variation greater between days than within one day The study found relationship satisfaction varied significantly between days and within each day. The variance between days was greater than within a single day. It also showed that the ups and downs in satisfaction among partners were relatively synchronised and that varying satisfaction was not related to demographic factors, meaning that it is a common experience for most couples, even those who have been in a relationship for a long time. Up until now, research has so far focused on how satisfaction with a relationship develops over months and years, the study says. However, since romantic relationships develop in everyday life, it is crucial to also examine satisfaction and fluctuations within short periods of time – given that in Western countries, one in three marriages end in divorce, meaning that many relationships break down. Scheling and her team of scientists, who collaborated with other research institutions, evaluated data from two previous studies involving couples consisting of one man and one woman. Data from a study conducted by the University of Basel between 2016 and 2018 included information from nearly 600 couples who recorded their satisfaction levels in several waves. Participants were couples from Switzerland, Austria and Germany over the age of 18 who had been together for at least one month. The other online study, conducted by the Universities of Mainz and Heidelberg between 2021 and 2023, included data from 150 couples who were asked about their satisfaction several times a day. In this study, the participants were couples who had only moved in together in the past four weeks.
