06/17/2026
One of the things I’ve learned after facilitating hundreds of team building workshops is that silence is telling us something very important about the culture.
When I ask a question and the room suddenly becomes quiet, I don’t assume people aren’t engaged.
What’s underneath the silence? What are they thinking? What’s making them feel unsure? Are they waiting to see if it’s safe to speak? Are they wondering whether the “right answer” is expected? And, what can I do differently to create safe space for them to share?
Sometimes before we can have an honest conversation, we need to create the conditions where honesty feels safe. And psychological safety isn’t created by asking people to participate more.
The next time a room goes quiet, resist the urge to fill the silence and get curious. What might the silence be trying to tell you? 🧐
