Of course it’s great to use your voice, but not all the time. In fact, not saying a word can often be the smartest move you can make. Why? Because it means you’re choosing the right moment to speak.
Let’s look at nine times when it’s probably better to keep your lips sealed and why. It’s a skill that many of us need to brush up on.
When You’re Steaming Mad
We’ve all said something in a fit of rage that we end up later regretting. Try taking a breather & keeping quiet the next time you’re mad; it’ll give you the chance to cool off. Later, you can come back to the issue and talk it out like a calm human, without any of the drama that comes from knee-jerk reactions.
When You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say
You know that old saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all?” It holds up pretty well. If you’re about to say something that could be hurtful, it’s a good idea to just zip it so you can avoid putting negativity out there & keep things positive.
When Someone Spills Their Secrets
It’s nice having a friend who trusts you enough to tell you a secret; just make sure to keep their words under lock & key. Blabbing about someone else’s private information will almost certainly break their trust & also could hurt them if the wrong person finds out. You’re better off zipping it up and feeling good, knowing you’re a vault of information.
While Getting Feedback
Getting feedback is never easy. But instead of jumping in to defend yourself, try staying quiet and really listening. Doing so means you can actually understand what’s being said & maybe learn something new about yourself. You should only respond once you’ve had a chance to think it over.
In Sad Situations
When a tragedy happens, it’s difficult to find the right words to say; often, there aren’t any. That’s why being there silently can be more powerful than any words you might try to give someone. Your presence alone can be a huge comfort to someone who’s hurting and they’ll be pretty grateful for it.
When You’re Not Sure of the Facts
Never chime in when you don’t have all the facts. Why? Because it can make you look foolish & spread misinformation. If you’re not sure about what you’re talking about it’s totally fine to keep quiet because you could end up learning something. It’s far better than guessing & potentially getting it wrong.
During Negotiations
Silence can be pretty powerful in negotiations because you’re not showing your hand right away. Eventually, the other side may reveal more about what they want & why because they hate awkward silences. Don’t rush to fill the silence, just sit in it. Let the other person do some of the talking and see what you can learn.
When Someone Else is Being Praised
It’s nice to hear someone else getting praise in a group setting, although your first reaction shouldn’t be to jump in with a “me too” story or shift the attention to yourself. When that happens, pause & think about just listening instead. After all, letting others have their moment in the spotlight shows real class.
When Breaking Bad News Can Wait
Of course, we all have those times when we might have some bad news to share, but we don’t have to do it immediately. Whether it’s a project delay or a minor setback, think about if it’s urgent or not. If it’s not, just wait for the right moment to bring it up so you can prevent any unnecessary worry or disruption.
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