Silence is arguably more important in golf than in any other sport. The pro tours have volunteers whose primary responsibility is to keep the crowds quiet, but the pros aren’t the only golfers that expect silence. Silence is expected at all levels of the game. In golf, you must be aware of your surroundings and know when to speak.
Play the game of golf long enough and you’ll understand when to remain quiet. As a golfer, if you don’t understand when it’s okay to speak, you’ll earn a certain reputation.
A wise man once said, “if you can’t improve the silence, don’t speak!” Living by this standard is expected on the golf course, and living by this standard in your work will set you apart from your peers. Here we provide some ways to improve the silence at work:
Speak to Understand
Whether you’re dealing with a customer or a coworker always remain curious. That’s right, if you remain curious in your meetings and interactions at work, you’ll gain more information than imaginable. The information gathered, by remaining curious, will allow you to better understand other perspectives.
Instead of trying to get people on board with your agenda, understand where they’re coming from. Understanding your customer or colleague’s perspective will allow you to formulate solutions that are best for everyone. When you speak to understand the other person’s perspective, versus trying to convince someone to join your agenda, you are improving the silence.
Speak to Empathize
Everyone wants to have a voice and be heard. To accomplish this you must articulate to the other party that you understand their perspective. Once the other party feels that they have been heard, you can work together to find the best solution. Without mutual understanding, friction and a lack of trust will prevail. Improve the silence by confirming that you understand the other party’s position. The other party will feel valued and have a stronger desire to work with you.
Speak to Recognize
All too often we get caught up in the crazy of our days and we grow accustomed to our teams and our peers exceeding expectations on a regular basis. We get too focused on what’s next and the problems we need to solve today.
Pause for a minute and make it a priority to look for opportunities to recognize superior performance and success. One way you can do this is by starting every meeting by recognizing success. Recognizing a success, at the beginning of every interaction, always improves the silence. More importantly, recognizing successes will allow for a more enjoyable working experience for everyone.
If you’re searching for an area where you can improve at work, start with communication. Knowing when to speak at work will build your credibility and trust with others. Always think before you speak and make sure you are improving the silence on and off the course.