Another reason employee silence occurs is because people fear that if they speak up they may lose their jobs. In some cases subordinates don't want to appear as though they are going against their supervisors, as they may view the employees' input as criticism of their practices, and be fired.
Silence enables us to get more done, so it's a great productivity booster. Research shows that people who spend less time talking at the workplace accomplish more and feel less 'stressful' by the end of the week. Silence empowers us to listen effectively. Most of us listen only to respond, not to understand.
A quiet employee doesn't mean a disengaged employee. They might be fully processing new information or discussions silently, and in truth be one of the more engaged members of your team.
Employee silence is defined as “the withholding of ideas, suggestions, or concerns about people, products, or processes that might have been communicated verbally to someone inside the organization with the perceived authority to act” (Kish-Gephart et al., 2009, pp 166–167).
Psychological benefits of silence can include enhanced creativity, focus, self control, self awareness, perspective and spirituality. Silence can be used both positively and negatively in communication, and thus can influence our relationships.
In most situations, it's acceptable to be quiet in the workplace. Some people prefer being quiet at work, and many work teams are stronger when those with different tendencies and strengths work together.
Silence can yield more power than words. Inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci said, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” Leaders know how to use silence as a tactic for speaking up for themselves and as an opportunity to lead.
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
In other words, there is real power in silence. In fact, Chinese philosopher Lau Tzu said, " Silence is a source of great strength."
Conclusion. Most introverts believe that their personality makes them less likely to succeed as leaders. In reality, it's their quiet traits that can help them to become amazing leaders and mentors. They work best with proactive employees who take the initiative and want to express themselves in their projects.
Introverts possess many qualities that help them become great leaders, but they also can be great bosses by taking an introverted approach to hiring, mentoring, customer service, and other key management functions.
The person who you can give a job to, and they do it. They're achieving results while others are still arguing over roles and responsibilities, and who gets the most credit. Their approach gets things done. Usually on their own ability, and often, in their own time.
Employee silence is extremely detrimental to organizations, often causing an “escalating level of dissatisfaction” among employees, “which manifests itself in absenteeism and turnover and perhaps other undesired behaviors”. Communication is the key to an organization's success.
Is it a bad thing to be a quiet person? Bust the belief that quietness is a sign of weakness when there is nothing wrong with being an introvert. It is okay to go quiet every once in a while. However, when quietness is part of our introverted personality, it is often perceived as something bad or a sign of weakness.
Introvert behaviors in the workplace
In the workplace, introverts may be required to interact with others more than they would normally choose to. While more extroverted employees may spend breaks, lunch hours and time after work together, introverts prefer to spend their free time alone recharging their energy.
One of the most basic reasons people remain silent is that they think you won't listen. Either from your attitude, your body language, or your history with them, they've learned not to waste their breath around you.
Part of the reason silence is so scary is that it creates a sense of anticipation — or anxiety — depending on what you're hoping to expect. Without aural cues to alert you to what's going on, anything seems possible.
By immersing yourself in silence, you can cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness, fostering personal growth and introspection. Many distractions and noises flood our world. When your attention is constantly being drawn away, you may never uncover how to improve your life.
Introverted leaders are better listeners
The first reason introverts are great leaders is that they're often better listeners. Introverts tend to be more introspective. They tend to listen a little bit harder to what someone is saying to them and consider it more.