My word for the year was space – I made a pledge to myself to create opportunities for thinking, connection and regeneration time. It’s now February and I’m fighting hard to keep my commitment. I’m also working hard to remember my insight around the power of silence; gained from an unexpected event.
On a cold December Sunday night, we pulled ourselves away from the fire and made the 40 minute journey to a celebration of the festive season. It was 7pm and the easy option would have been to cancel and stay in the warmth of home and family, but we were keen to go. The celebration was at my daughter’s school and, as I listened to the musical pieces, readings and carols, I was struck by the talent I was amongst. It was a well put together, joyous evening that allowed children to shine. But it was the way the event was structured that has stayed with me since, and been the subject of conversations with many of the senior leaders with whom I work.
After each reading, marvellous orchestral piece and song, there was a moment of silence. I’ve since learned (maybe a little late to the party and ironic seeing as I started my career in IBM) that this is the Quaker way. The practice of regular pause points, space; silence. Business was busy in December. It was a Sunday but work had dominated much of the day and so a moment of silence felt a little uncomfortable for me at first. But once I’d adjusted, I found it incredibly powerful. A forced space to digest and process the music, words and spirit of what had filled the 20 minutes before. An opportunity to quieten my mind from the noise of life and actually be present in the concert we’d pulled ourselves away from the fire to join.
I left that evening very reflective about the fact we’re all running to the next project, job or event. Even in the one-day sessions I facilitate, we are often asked to ‘pack in’ as much as possible. I’ve started to build moments of ‘silence’ in now – a short period for people to properly take in what went on in the hour before – process, digest and capture it. The impact is tremendous – people have told me that they take much more from a day by being forced to slow down and take the space to think. The fact it feels uncomfortable for most of us tells us a great deal. But, together with my ongoing quest for space for myself in 2023 (and beyond), I’m going to keep building ‘silence’ into our work and increase the difference we make. What would a few moments of silence a day give you? I’d love to know what you do as a result of just taking the time to let what you’ve heard, experienced or contributed… settle.
