Lesson 4: Strategies for
Change
F. The Silent, Unresponsive
Person
IDENTIFYING THE BEHAVIOR
- Quiet
- Soft spoken
- Timid
- Uncertain
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- Little eye contact
- Avoids responding
- Mumbles
- Stares
blankly
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- Closed body
language
- Rarely volunteers
or speaks out
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UNDERSTANDING THE BEHAVIOR
- The unresponsive person
avoids responsibility. They are not accountable.
- The silent person's
behavior allows them to weather the unpleasant,
uncomfortable situation.
- Silence may be
used to upset and agitate others. It
may be used aggressively and with pleasure.
COPING WITH THE BEHAVIOR
- Remember not to take
their silence as a personal affront. They
may just be rather reserved and shy by
nature.
- Comment on the behavior
by asking, What are you thinking/feeling
right now?
- Remain silent yourself
and adopt a receptive posture.
- Reflect what
you sense the other person is thinking
or feeling. Words like, I wonder if
you. or I imagine you might...
- Suggest
they respond by writing at length their
reactions to the issue.
- Don't give up.
- Set them up for success.
Give them recognition.
- Actively enlist
their assistance. Ask rather then assign.
Now that you've completed Lesson 4, you're
just about done. We'll share a few concluding
thoughts in the final lesson - and then
you're on your own! Final Thoughts | Return
to Top
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About this Lesson
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 Lesson
4 points out strategies to approach
problematic situations and people.
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