The Art Engager

How to get over a 'tumbleweed moment' (and avoid one in the future)


Listen Later

Have you ever asked a question that was greeted with nothing but silence? You look around and all you can see are blank faces.

The silence is scary because you don’t know what people are thinking. It could mean anything.

You wait a little longer and still nothing happens. Just the sound of tumbleweed rustling by….

You've just experienced a 'tumbleweed moment' - a period of dead air or silence. 

And it’s awkward and uncomfortable - not just for you but also for your participants too. 

You don't know what people are thinking and your mind races to think of something to fill the silence. 

But what if you had some steps to work though to help you get over this moment? Well, help is at hand. Today I'm sharing some practical ways to get over a tumbleweed moment.

And at the end I’ll be sharing some advice about avoiding these moments in the first place - so stick around and together we’ll make sure you never have to hear the terrifying sound of silence again! 

LINKS

Support the show! https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown

Episode 10 - 10 common mistakes to avoid when asking questions - https://thinkingmuseum.com/2021/06/24/10-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-asking-questions/

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Art EngagerBy Claire Bown

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

19 ratings


More shows like The Art Engager

View all
Modern Love by The New York Times

Modern Love

8,822 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,509 Listeners

The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

The One You Feed

2,552 Listeners

The Book Review by The New York Times

The Book Review

4,001 Listeners

Tara Brach by Tara Brach

Tara Brach

10,559 Listeners

On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

On Being with Krista Tippett

10,132 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,733 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

111,970 Listeners

The Week in Art by The Art Newspaper

The Week in Art

216 Listeners

Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

Worklife with Adam Grant

9,167 Listeners

The Great Women Artists by Katy Hessel

The Great Women Artists

535 Listeners

Poetry Unbound by On Being Studios

Poetry Unbound

3,578 Listeners

Haptic & Hue by Jo Andrews

Haptic & Hue

305 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,833 Listeners

Stories in Colour by The National Gallery

Stories in Colour

28 Listeners