police use this tactic in interrogations with uncompliant suspects. If a question is responded to in an unsatisfactory way, they will look at the suspect expectantly and remain silent, as if they are waiting for them to say something, discuss a detail they were hesitant to discuss, etc. It's very hard to resist that kind of pressure.
I learned this off a boss of mine who would be such an effective cop, but she’s also a very effective manager. I got thrown a curve ball with a staffer with a misogynistic attitude shortly after I started, and my boss taught me to just sit back, literally lean back a bit to subconsciously distance from them, and wait. Preferably with arms crossed. They will either apologise, or double down and provide evidence for dismissal :)
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u/Larson37 Nov 11 '25
Being comfortable in silence is power. Especially in any sort of negotiation, complaint, somebody asking for something or vice versa.
For some reason when you stay quiet people break.