The Power of Silence
Each week, my blog is inspired by one of the following:
- A behavior I’ve observed in the business—good or bad.
- An event, past or upcoming, that shapes our company culture.
- A memory or cultural value I want to pass on to new and future employees.
- A lesson that humbled me.
This week falls into category four.
For those with kids, you’ll understand—sometimes, in trying to equip them with the tools they need to navigate the world, we’re forced to practice what we preach. And that’s not always easy.
Last Sunday, during our usual brunch, my 16-year-old was strategizing for an upcoming WH 40K match against an opponent with, let’s say, a reputation. The discussion turned into a role-playing exercise on de-escalation. I’ll admit, de-escalation isn’t my strong suit. I’ve always subscribed to the mindset: Never start a fight, but if you find yourself in one, be the one to finish it (very lizard, survival brain of me, I go to the Amygdala quick).
So naturally, I offered my son an arsenal of clever one-liners designed to cut deep. That’s when my wife—the true voice of reason—stepped in with a principle that has served me well, time and again:
"Many times, it’s much more important to be kind than to be right."
In my son’s case, a competitive scenario, kindness might not have been the most effective strategy, but neither were my sharp-edged comebacks. After some discussion, the table’s consensus was simple: take a breath, be silent, and just observe.
Then, someone—likely my 10-year-old or my wife—made the perfect connection: “You know, like the Paddington Bear Stare.”
And they were right. Sometimes, a well-placed pause, a moment of silence, can be as powerful as any retort. A deliberate stare, when applied correctly, acts like a mirror—it forces the other person to see themselves clearly.
Silence is a powerful tool. It slows the world down. It creates space to think. It cannot be misquoted or misconstrued. And more often than not, it speaks louder than words ever could.
I hope you don't have to use the Paddington Bear Stare this week, but, maybe you have a new tool in the tool box?
Thanks for reading.
-Ben
Incase you wanted to see the Paddington bear stare in action:
https://youtu.be/q_XjlVrrU_A?si=3I0e2X75_NoRzDqB
