The Mute Button
During any conversation, it pays to listen more and talk less. As the old saying goes, “that’s why God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth.”
I’ve found that during phone calls, especially when they get heated, that the easiest way to say less is to do the following:
1. While the other person is talking, hit the MUTE button.
2. Do NOT unmute until there is a silence for at least 5 seconds. This will prompt the other party to talk more and for you to say less.
Always Say Less than Necessary
“When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.” – Robert Greene
