About this quote

We often speak just to fill the awkward gaps in a conversation. You feel the urge to voice an opinion, even when you have nothing useful to add to the room. Why do we fear a quiet moment so much? Next time you are in a meeting or a tense family dinner, try holding your tongue until you actually have something valuable to contribute. You will find that keeping quiet builds respect far faster than babbling does.

When to use it

• When your boss asks for feedback on a project you haven't reviewed yet, instead of making something up on the spot, you pause and ask for time to look it over.
• Your partner is venting about their bad day at work, and you resist the urge to offer useless advice, choosing instead to just sit there and listen.
• During a heated family dinner discussion about politics, you choose to stay silent rather than fuel the argument with half-baked opinions.