If you only have a conversation about topics you identify, you will only talk about things you know. Be open to the people on your team and what they want to talk about. Be prepared to expand your horizon beyond what you know you need to discuss.

I remember advice for planning a town-hall style team meeting. The advice called for about 20 minutes of presentation and then 40 minutes or more for questions from the audience. It seemed out of proportion to what I expected. I expected that the group would look for me to fill the time. What I found was leaving that much space for the unknown brought out powerful and important topics from my team.

In a smaller setting, I’ve found the same power in a deliberate pause. I learned the power of the pause when I was attending a coaching seminar a few years ago. My tendency was to follow every answer with another probing question. I found that sometimes I was talking as my partner was thinking, and I was missing valuable insight by moving too quickly. Instead, all I needed to do was leave space in the conversation.

I recall thinking early in my career that my job was to fill the space with information. Share insights and direction to my team. And while this is true, we don’t always know what information our team needs. We don’t have perfect insight into what’s on the minds of our staff. I remember as a younger leader thinking I always knew what I needed to share and what was most important.

I also have the tendency to want my time to be efficient, and to be respectful of others people’s time as well. I have been guilty of rushing through topics to save time, while missing out on real comprehension by my audience. I’ve learned to check with my audience, and slow down when I see signals that the message isn’t being received clearly.

Whether in individual conversations or larger meetings, there is value in leaving space for the unknown. Leave time for questions and observations that will surprise you. It will not happen every time. When it does be aware and grateful for the opportunity to expand your horizon.

Where do you leave space to be surprised in your communication to others?