How Silence Makes Work Meetings Meaningful
Intentional silence in meetings prevents groupthink and helps teams flourish.
Updated April 12, 2026 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader
Work meetings are often the birthplace of groupthink —a dynamic that favors conformism and harmony over critical thinking [1] [2] . In other words, when people remain too quiet and let decision-making follow the dominant voices in a crowd, opportunities for needed disruptions can go missing—even if those disruptions could have led to better strategies. We do not always dare to say what we think is the best decision or call out work patterns that would let experienced members feel excluded. Similarly, we do not always genuinely mean what we end up saying in meetings, especially if we choose to please those in power rather than be honest.
It is challenging to be assertive and collaborate while juggling multiple fireballs, such as time pressure, power dynamics, or budgets. In addition, our personality or cultural and educational backgrounds can lead many of us to feel we are wired to different frequencies than some of our colleagues, given the apparent misalignment between values and actions within a team. We know it in theory: Including as many diverse perspectives as possible when working together could benefit innovation [3] . However, we still have a long way to go in our aspirations to be cooperative, inclusive, and curious toward those who defy our beliefs or priorities [4].
While too much quiet in meetings can lead to biased decisions and power misuse, certain silences act as catalysts of meaning, mattering, and innovation . Here is a paradox: Many of us tend to avoid silences in meetings because quiet moments can amplify a sense of suspense and uncertainty [5]. The beauty of uncertainty is that it can remind us that silence is a space for possibilities, and exploring a vast range of possibilities before making decisions at work can be cost-effective. Here are five practices that will help you lead your team effectively and inclusively:
The craft is in the balance. Both too much talk and too much quiet come at an emotional and ethical cost. Transformational and compassionate teams do not fall into the misbelief that most meetings are effective ad hoc; they expect bias and groupthink as a standard and prepare strategically to circumvent it with, among other tools, more intentional uses of silence. Challenge yourself to observe the patterns of what is said, what is unsaid, and what happens in between, and favor needed creative disruptions, one intentional pocket of silence at a time.
[1] Criscuolo, P., Dahlander, L. T., Grohsjean, T., & Salter, A. (2016). Evaluating Novelty: The Role of Panels in the Selection of R&D Projects. Academy of Management Journal, 60(2), https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2014.0861
[2] Groupthink (n.d.). Psychology Today. psychologytoday.com/us/basics/groupthink#why-groupthink-happens
[3] Hewlett, S.A., Marshall, M., Sherbin, L. (2013). How Diversity Can Drive Innovation. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2013/12/how-diversity-can-drive-innovation
[4] Morse, G. (2016). Designing a Bias-Free Organization. It’s easier to change your processes than your people. hbr.org/2016/07/designing-a-bias-free-organization
[5] Lehmann, O.V. (2022). Silence. In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98390-5_225-1
[6] Fridman, J. (2023, December 14). Jeff Bezos: Amazon and Blue Origin | Lex Fridman Podcast #405. youtube.com/watch?v=DcWqzZ3I2cY&t=2s
[7] Zucker, R. (2024). Don’t Underestimate the Power of Small Breaks During a Busy Workday. Harvard Business Review. hbr.org/2024/03/dont-underestimate-the-power-of-small-breaks-during-a-busy-workday
[8] Kofman, F. (2018). The meaning revolution: The power of transcendent leadership . Crown Currency.
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Olga V. Lehmann, Ph.D., is an associate professor in counselling at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a full professor in psychology at Oslo Nye Høgskolen.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.