Speaking Up and Silence in Clubhouse

Written by Ryan Warren Instagram @ryanwarren

 

When do we speak up? When do we remain quiet?

 

The Clubhouse related questions I get are usually along with these questions: "When do I unmute and speak up, and when do I stay muted and someone else does the talking?"

 

It’s a good question. It’s an honest question. And, it’s one I’m willing to answer in an effort to provide some clarity and possibility when you are asking the same questions.

 

Here it goes, and before I begin, some ground rules are in order.

 

 

 

 

With that in play, let’s enter into further exploration of when to speak up and when to pipe down in Clubhouse.

There are a few times that very much so should bring is to talk within Clubhouse. Here are 3:

 

 

This is a big deal. Misinformation, misleading, flat-out lying, or bold-faced steering someone into risk should absolutely be a time to speak up and provide clarity, correction, and an appropriate alteration of the topic itself.

 

This is when we speak up and speak clearly and directly. If someone is getting put at risk by someone else, it’s for someone - or a group to make sure that health is chosen. Why? Because the health of Clubhouse can be a slippery slope. Guarding the community is a collective effort and, if the future of the platform is to be in any way shape to be sustainable, having people at risk within conversation would very well be the thing that takes it down permanently. It’s simply just a matter of already viewing previous examples of apps and platforms that have run into exposures, and risk-related drop-offs because they didn’t commit to being a solidified front to choosing honesty and preventing risk.

 

 

This one might sound as though it goes against the first point however, in reality, it supports it. Speaking up and promoting the freedom to share the truth and do so in a way that increases safety, healthy ideas, and where people feel welcome to share the freedom of their unique expression is a big-time deal.

 

There are occurrences every day within Clubhouse where someone “finds their voice” for the first time in a while or shares something they have been holding back for days, weeks, months, or even years. What a strong way to step up and share something freeing. Choosing to do so in a way that honors yourself and someone else is a big-time win within Clubhouse - well, anywhere for that matter.

 

 

I’m going to double down here in a slightly different way than the first two. We can choose quality as we speak and communicate within the app of Clubhouse. The quickest most surefire way to compromise conversation is to undermine the quality of the conversation.

 

Stay share. Remain dialed in when you’re on the app, and for the love - pay attention to people when they are talking. Misunderstanding and misinformation are easier and easier when you’re distracted and zoning out. What are we really gaining if we are halfway paying attention to people when they are talking? What are we gaining by giving someone a partial percentage of our attention when another human being is talking?

 

Show up and really show up. It can empower everyone and prevent the really harsh examples of compromising conversation.

 

This is a true and important choice to make when you’re talking about an important conversation. There are so many business-related conversations that we had better know what we are talking about before we open our mouths in a specific and direct way when people’s business and progress is on the line.

 

The facts are important. Your own personal and honest and verifiable experience is important as well. If we don’t - have all the facts - we had sure better not pretend that we don’t.

 

Having all the facts is a wise and mindful way to maintain a healthy conversation.

 

 

Read the room. Really. There are times, especially in an environment such as Clubhouse to keep the correct audience, vibe, and tone in the more appropriate circumstance.

 

Sensitive topics abound. Refer someone to a professional when need be. Take the conversation offline if that’s a better option. And, if there is someone in the room that can handle the situation more tactfully than we are able to at the time, it’s more than polite and respectful way to make the impact that is most needed.

 

 

This is likely the one that I've seen help people the most as they continue to connect with others within Clubhouse.

 

It’s not the environment for us to have an approach that has us flying off the handle and speaking to other people in frustration or anger. Who is going to benefit from doing this within a room?

 

Sure, there are going to be disagreements, however, frustration and anger are very specific times to take a breath and see if it’s the correct time to pipe down and listen further, gain some understanding, and be mindful and process how we are feeling and thinking at the moment.

 

Some bonus ideas on speaking up or choosing not to.

The agenda of each person is way more obvious than what most people think or pick up on. There’s not a big way to hide it. You can smell it when it ramps up, and it’s overall a pretty uninteresting way for people to connect.

 

The benefit of taking time to learn these moments more and more is because there are times where both are called for identifying what is going on during conversation.

 

Personal agenda, selfish perspective, or just being contrarian for the sake of it are in direct opposition to moments when someone can help and prove vale by being brave and saying what no one else is willing to, has the best interests of the community, and respect rises in those moments.

 

It’s all about motive. And taking the time to focus on what is called for and appropriate can improve each interaction.

 

These choices are for every person to make within Clubhouse.

It’s been an honor to share ideas here and there on conversation and possibilities for greater health within Clubhouse over the past couple of months. I hope that an idea here and there has been beneficial as you meet within the app.

 

I’m available to answer questions and share ideas as you explore the app and you can free to email me, [email protected] - If you are considering ways to get the most out of your time investment within apps like Clubhouse and further your overall personal effectiveness in communication with other people, some virtual coffee would be a fun thing to set up. Look forward to hearing from you!