Rather than answering a question, Keanu waits to see if he has an answer worth giving. He then attempts to edit down his response in his head so that it can be understood. Many of the interviews with Keanu contain huge chunks of silence. That’s why his TV interviews aren’t that in-depth because it takes him time to respond and a three-minute TV interview just doesn’t do it. The real answers to life’s toughest questions take time to answer.

Take Time to Answer a Question

Keanu uses silence brilliantly in speeches and public performances. The silence helps the listener become curious about what he’s going to say. It breeds suspense and that helps you put your phone away and listen.<blockquote>Silence breeds curiosity and curiosity leads to a conversation where someone will listen to you.</blockquote>

Silence Breeds Curiosity

Silence is not only golden; it makes you think. And we need more time to think during these uncertain times.Conversely, you can’t think about what someone is saying if you’re lost in thoughts of what you’re going to say next.

Quiet People Make us Think

The typical pattern of meetings and human conversation is to talk a lot. Try being quiet to break the pattern and help people think with your words.People can’t resist the urge to talk — they also can’t resist the urge to hear from the people who are extremely quiet.

Being Quiet Interrupts the Pattern

You’re smart when you do the following:<ul><li>Let people talk first</li><li>Listen with intention</li><li>When your face shows you’re engaged in the conversation</li><li>You practice saying less</li><li>You lead with empathy</li></ul>

The Smarter you Become, the Less You Speak

We’re told to be loud. Social media teaches us to use caps, emojis, hashtags and big, bold captions on our videos to get people to listen.What if doing the opposite of loud was really the answer to being heard?A soft voice like Keanu’s draws you in, and then, only then, can you hear what he is trying to say.

Softly Spoken Brings People Closer

Pauses in human dialogue allow our minds to think at a deeper level. The challenge is often we um and ah our way through pauses rather than intentionally leaving a few.A pause is a tool you can use to get people to think.

Pauses Allow Time for Reflection

When you speak less and sit back and listen, during the rare times when you do talk, you have the space to deliver one-liners like Keanu that blow people’s minds and help them to think deeply.

One-liners that Break the Room

The world doesn’t need more loud guys full of too many words, with buff arms, in tight shirts, and huge egos to match. The world needs quiet people. Why? I’ve always been intrigued by Keanu. He is a…

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Pauses Allow Time for Reflection

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