One of the key game-changers for me as a leader was implementing a practice of waiting 3-4 seconds before responding in a conversation, no matter how badly I wanted to jump in.
That short time window made space for entire conversations and learning opportunities that never would have manifested otherwise. That window left space open in 1:1 meetings for vulnerability, connection, and trust. In team meetings, this space allowed other ideas to flourish, and opened up an opportunity for my team members to establish ownership and cooperation without me getting in the way.
Make a commitment to try this small change for a week, even if those few seconds of silence feel awkward at first—you may be pleasantly surprised!
Daniel Khoroshansky
Windward Coaching Services, LLC