Re: Using Silence in Meetings LO2795

Richard Karash (rkarash@world.std.com)
Wed, 13 Sep 1995 19:39:04 -0400 (EDT)

Replying to LO2737 --

On Mon, 11 Sep 1995 DHurst1046@aol.com wrote:

>
> BTW has anyone used extended periods of silence as a way to open a
> meeting? What were the contexts and what were the outcomes?
>

I watched my friend and colleague Charlotte Roberts propose to a
particularly tough group of know-it-alls that when stuck they should do
three minutes of silence for individual reflection, then return to the
debate with fresh thoughts and perspectives. "It'll seem like forever..."
she warned. This group was troubled by ugly meetings, long arguments,
hard to resolve disputes.

The group reported later that this had been particularly effective,
helped them find a breakthrough, get around an impasse.

We were not able to track the group afterward, so I don't know if they
kept up the practice.

--
         Richard Karash ("Rick") |  <http://world.std.com/~rkarash>
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