There’s something profound happening when silence is shared. When people jointly take a moment to be together without any formal interaction. Some sort of understanding is created.
That understanding then prolongs throughout conversation. It lives on. Even though the silence may mean loads of different things for the people in the room, it will have an joint impact.
The impact itself is hard to describe. It’s some sort of feeling, some sort of calmness. The effect of it is usually a slowing down of the processes that are taking place. People will have different perspectives on whatever is in the room after a minute of silence.
Silence is a key tool in gatherings and meetings of all sorts. Make sure to use it.