I had a fascinating chat to a client yesterday who chairs several boards. As someone who coaches leaders on communication every week, what he said really resonated with me. He reckons boardrooms have gone quiet, and he had some strong opinions about why.
You can feel it the moment you walk into some boardrooms. That heavy, cautious silence. A room full of bright minds, experienced operators, and proven leaders… not saying much. For a state that prides itself on big thinking, too many meetings still echo with the sound of people playing it safe.
Now I think sometimes silence is respect. But too often, it’s fear. Fear of sounding silly or not saying it the “right” way. Part of that comes from a good place. We’ve all become more mindful, more aware, and yes, a little more “woke.” That’s progress. But somewhere along the line, awareness turned into anxiety. I see it in my workshops all the time, people overthinking every word instead of just saying the ‘thing’! They’re terrified of the AI transcription, and being misread, misquoted, or cancelled by the court of LinkedIn.
So we talk in code. Polished, safe, corporate-approved code. And what’s left is communication without conviction. It’s ironic, really. In WA, we back people who take risks underground, underwater, and offshore. Yet in the boardroom or meeting room, a risky opinion seems, too risky.
We’ve never had more platforms to speak from, but leaders sound less certain than ever. Not because they lack conviction, but because the culture around communication has made them hesitant. The fix isn’t just telling people to “speak up.” It’s creating the kind of culture where they want to. Where authenticity earns trust, not applause.
So how do you rebuild confidence and get people talking again? Well if you lead the room, set the tone. Thank people for speaking up, especially when they disagree. Make curiosity the safest thing in the meeting.
Media and Communciction Training can help you pitch ideas with confidence, handle curly questions and stand in front of an audience.
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