Hr Library
Trending

Why Brilliant Minds Embrace the Rule of Awkward Silence

The rule of awkward silence is a powerful tool of emotional intelligence. Here's how to make it work for you

Source | www.inc.com | JUSTIN BARISO

Alma Deutscher is about to do something brilliant.

The 12-year-old is seated at the piano, a big smile across her face. Next to her stands longtime journalist Scott Pelley, who has come to interview Alma for the television show 60 Minutes.

“Tell me how this works,” says Pelley.

Alma explains the game: Pelley is to pick four musical notes out of a hat, completely at random. 

“And then,” says Alma, “I’m going to improvise a piece [of music] based on them.”

Pelley does just as asked, providing Alma with four index cards, each with a musical note printed on them. After playing (and singing) each note, Alma asks for a few moments.

And then she sits. 

She thinks.

… And thinks some more.

In all, Alma sits in total silence for about 40 seconds. She is completely immersed in her thoughts, having shut out the outside world. As she waves her head ever so slightly, you can see the melody developing in her head.

The final result is captivating: The 12-year-old girl proceeds to improvise a sublime piece of music based on those initial four notes. 

“Wonderful,” exclaims Pelley.

You’ve just witnessed a virtuoso at work. But you’ve also witnessed a real-life application of one of the most powerful tools of emotional intelligence: 

The rule of awkward silence.

Click here to read the full article

Source
www.inc.com
Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button