Management Tip of the Day: 3 Steps for Addressing the Uncertainty of Silence

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Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile APRIL 5, 2010 3 Steps for Addressing the Uncertainty of Silence Silence is the worst kind of feedback — it is ambiguous and generic. When you don't know why someone hasn't called you back or responded to your email, it is all too easy to assume the worst. Here are three steps to take if you're getting the silent treatment: Accept that you don't know. Acknowledge that you don't know what the silence really means. Resist the temptation to fill in the blanks with your own insecurities. Ask for clarity. Reach out to the person and ask him to tell you why he's not responding. Believe the answer. Whatever the response — he was too busy, he forgot — don't read between the lines. Accept it as truth and move on. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Handle Silence, the Worst Kind of Feedback" by Peter Bregman. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT Narcissistic Leaders: The Incredible Pros, the Inevitable Cons Classic Harvard Business Review Article In 2000, at the height of the dot-com boom, business leaders posed for the covers of Time, BusinessWeek, and the Economist with the aplomb and confidence of rock stars. These were a different breed from their counterparts of just 10 or 20 years before. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: BEST SELLERS 10 Must-Read Articles from HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR 2009: A Year of Management Ideas HBR's Must-Reads on Managing Yourself How to Get the Right Work Done PREVIOUS TIPS Take an Imagination-Driven Approach to Management 3 Tips for Keeping Your Action Plan on Track 3 Questions Your Business Model Must Answer Confront the Top 3 Excuses for Not Speaking Up 3 Things to Do Before You Disagree With the Strategy Let Your Customers Sell to Themselves How to Be a Changemaker 3 Reasons You Shouldn't Leave Your Job A Cheap and Instantly Effective Social Media Idea 6 Steps to Sizing Up a Negotiation HBR Online Trial Access HBR's in-depth business archives FREE for 14 days. Register today » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 1-800-545-7685 (617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)