Silence is expensive information when everyone else is giving theirs away for free.

In an environment where everyone is talking, what you withhold gains value automatically. People fill their own silences, form conclusions, and reveal their positions while yours stays unknown, and none of that requires any skill from you. This is not about being cold or withholding warmth. It is about noticing that information has a price and most people are giving theirs away.

In your next meeting or difficult conversation, try being the person who speaks last. Let others define the terms first. You will find that you learn more and commit to less.