Chapter 29
Structured Silence
A crucial element in a conversational rhythm is silence. Yet lulls in a discussion are often experienced as awkward and interpreted to mean that nothing is happening. Structured Silence is a way to help people become comfortable with silence as an integral part of any discussion session.
Purposes
- To embed periods of silence in discussions so that participants feel comfortable during these lulls
- To keep discussion grounded and focused by introducing regular opportunities for people to identify important points and new questions
- To give those who have not contributed an opportunity to shape the conversation
How It Works
- Every fifteen minutes or so the facilitator asks people to pause for two to three minutes ...
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