Listening, or the Power of Silence

🧶 While on a recent visit of a Chiharu Shiota exhibition, as I made my way through the intricately sculpted constructions made of endless reams of yarn, I was struck by a quote from the artist:

“I believe silence is often stronger and more beautiful than any sound can be. My true voice has no sound.”

It reminded me of Nancy Kline’s Time to Think, and the principle that presence and deep listening often do more than any well-crafted advice or direction ever could. Sometimes our greatest impact comes from our capacity to hold space. Deep, generative listening allows others to hear themselves more clearly, to access ideas and clarity, and see the giant structures emerge from the reams of yarn.

Shiota’s and Kline’s works are reminders that true transformation does not always start with a sound. Sometimes, it begins in silence.