“Sometimes no comment is best.” A few years ago, an associate and I went to go see a client. After a long trip followed by a productive working dinner we checked into our rooms. Within not even 5 minutes — our texts and calls were crossing because of mutual cringe resulting from seeing the sticky note on our bed headboards declaring: “Sheets are Clean.”
Why was it necessary to state this? Were the sheets sometimes not changed between guests? This was in an executive suites in a world-renown hotel chain. I had never before questioned whether the sheets were fresh. Yet in that moment, the gross-out factor hit 11 on the dial.
The statement was unnecessary. And, in the aftermath, my memory was forever “branded” — that I might need to wonder whether all rooms at not only this hotel chain, but every other as well, included clean sheets!
Not every choice, action, moment and/or decision requires a statement. Surely some do: A Regulation FD announcement must be considered for public companies, and even for certain private companies choosing to adopt best practices in communication. Yet, over-communication can weaken personal and professional authority status while restraint preserves meaning and lets relevance speak for itself. Sometimes — especially during heated discussions, negotiations or when more information needs to be gathered before a comment is made — silence is the clearest signal of confidence and discernment.
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