Breaking beliefism Elaine Lin Hering
Sep 26, 2025
Elaine Lin Hering, a negotiation expert and author of Unlearning Silence, shares insights on the importance of speaking up in decision-making. She discusses how learned silence hinders effective dialogue and explores the power dynamics affecting who gets heard in organizations. Elaine advocates for designing inclusive environments that encourage diverse perspectives, emphasizing cognitive diversity in the workplace. She highlights the need for leaders to promote open communication and the value of embracing disagreements as opportunities for growth.
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Silence Is A Learned Default
- Silence is a learned default that people use as a coping mechanism in conflict and feedback moments.
- Elaine Lin Hering argues awareness of silence lets people choose different actions to speak up.
Silence Includes How Others Are Silenced
- Silence includes both self-silencing and the ways we silence others in organisations.
- Unlearning silence requires addressing how systems and leaders may be suppressing dissent.
Design For Voice Not Defaults
- Design environments and processes intentionally rather than relying on defaults that reward silence.
- Change meeting norms and incentives to make it safer and easier for diverse voices to speak.
