S is for Silence
How often do you think about the use of silence in communication? 😶🤫

When we take time to develop our communication skills in the workplace, we often focus on our words and our body language. Very rarely do we reflect on our use of silence in communication – but it is a significant element for many cultures.

For example, William Deal reflected on the Japanese concept of ma 間 in music, noting it “concerns the idea that music is both the notes played and the silence in between.”🎶

So, the next question is – how do you interpret silence in communication? I’ve listed below the common ways it can be interpreted in Anglo-Australian culture, as well as some ways other cultures may interpret it (including our First Nations cultures in Australia).

💡 Bonus reflection question now that you’re aware of these cultural differences – how does this impact our online communication in the modern workplace? It’s worth thinking through!

A-Z of Cross-Cultural Awareness
This blog post is part of a series of short posts on cross-cultural awareness. Keep an eye out for the rest of the series.