You apply for a job.
You put time into a thoughtful proposal.
You show up with presence for a discovery call.
And then… silence.
No response. No update. Just a quiet void where something once felt possible.
I have witnessed this in my own journey, and even more so in the experiences of the people I coach right now.
And here is what feels important to say: it is not always the no that hurts. It is the not knowing.
The waiting.
The wondering if you misread the moment.
The slow drip of self-doubt that follows.
In today’s climate, this experience is more than just a passing disappointment. The job market is unstable. Funding is uncertain. People are navigating transition with already-frayed confidence.
So when a potential project or collaboration appears, it can feel like a lifeline.
A glimpse of purpose. A moment of hope.
When that hope is met with silence, it can feel more disorienting than a clear no.
Because a no, when delivered with care, can bring closure and even growth.
But silence leaves someone holding the weight of their own imagination.
And sometimes, we are the ones creating that silence, not out of carelessness, but simply because we are moving fast, or unsure what to say.
Communication Is Leadership
As leaders, how we communicate, even in these seemingly small moments, matters.
When I used to recruit, I made it a personal practice.
If I had invited someone into a process, if they had offered their time, their story, their hope, I would always find a way to respond.
A short written message.
A few words of appreciation.
And when it felt right, some open-hearted feedback to support their next step.
Could I do that for every single person who applied?
No. But if someone had invested meaningfully, I did my best to honour that.
Because how we close a loop says a lot about the kind of leader we are.
And often, it is what people remember most.
It is not about perfection or polished language.
It is about presence. And care.
Building Trust Through Small Moments
These small, human touches, a quick message, a brief acknowledgement, are not just acts of courtesy.
They are acts of leadership.
They create trust in spaces where people are most vulnerable.
They say: I see you. Your effort mattered, even if the outcome was not what you hoped.
In times of instability and transition, small acts of care leave lasting impressions.
Not just on the individual, but on the cultures we are shaping.
A Reflection for This Week
Think about someone who has recently offered you their time, maybe through an application, a conversation, or a proposal.
- Have you closed the loop with them?
- What is one small act of communication that might make them feel seen?
Leadership Reflection Journal
This week’s page: The Leadership Power of Small Acknowledgements
Explore what silence does in uncertain times, and how your presence, even in moments of ending, can leave someone feeling respected, grounded, and encouraged. Click on the page for the editable version to note your thoughts.
In a world where people are carrying more than they show, small acts of care carry more weight than we think.
With care,
Linda
Touching Distance | Within Reach
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