Silent Presence, Magnetic Impact, and Why Those Who Speak Less Often Leave the Deepest Mark
- Brainz Magazine
- May 26
- 7 min read
Barbara Suigo is a charisma expert, HR consultant, and author. Specializing in the development of soft skills, she has published the "Charisma Trilogy" and offers personalized training and coaching programs for leaders and professionals.
We live in a world that never stops talking. Words flow everywhere: in chats, in posts, in videos, in podcasts. Everyone says something often, too much, too fast. Sometimes at random, other times without true expertise.
Amid this endless background noise, what really stands out is silence. Not an empty silence, but one full of presence. A silence that speaks, that holds back, that attracts.
Today, silence is a rare and incredibly powerful form of authority. It’s not absence; it’s intention. It’s not emptiness; it’s amplified presence.
Knowing how to communicate with restraint is one of the fundamental skills of charisma. It doesn’t mean saying little, but saying better. It means choosing, measuring, and waiting. Ensuring that every word carries real weight and that none is wasted.
The Stoic view of silence
In Stoic thought, talking too much is often a form of self-loss, while silence represents inner mastery and clarity. For Marcus Aurelius, emperor and philosopher, silence was part of a lifestyle dedicated to the essential: speak only when necessary, with measure and truth. In his Meditations, written for himself, you sense the effort of someone who chooses each word carefully, not to please, but to clarify. Other ancient thinkers, less well known but equally relevant today, reflected on the value of remaining silent. Cleanthes argued that silence is not absence, but strength born of discipline. Chrysippus urged his students to observe extended periods of silence before speaking, to give reason room to act before impulse. For them, silence was not closing off but vigilance and presence.
In an age that rewards constant exposure, reclaiming the dimension of silence means rediscovering your own center. It means saying something far more profound: I don’t need to fill the space to be worth something.
“Be mostly silent, or speak only as much as is necessary, expressing yourself concisely.” - Epictetus, Enchiridion, 33
Charisma that doesn’t need noise
Truly magnetic people share a rare quality: they’re in no rush to speak. They don’t feel the need to fill every moment with opinions, explanations, or witty remarks. They don’t strive to appear interesting, and perhaps that’s exactly why they are.
When they speak, everyone listens. Not because they raise their voice or try to dominate, but because of how they use words: with clarity, calm, and intensity. Every sentence feels weighed, never tossed out to cover a gap.
Their charisma springs from subtraction and the silent confidence of someone who has nothing to prove. Those who don’t constantly and ostentatiously expose themselves attract.
In their hands, silence is not absence. It’s a choice. It’s a dense, living space that creates anticipation and generates meaning.
It’s precisely in that suspended moment between one word and the next that authority is built. And anyone who can inhabit that space authentically is never overlooked.
When silence becomes style
Those who master this form of charisma, silent, solid, sober, often leave a more lasting impression than those who command the stage with redundant words and gestures. It’s a presence that doesn’t invade but remains. That doesn’t shout but indents. A form of communication that doesn’t need to declare itself to be recognized.
Some public figures perfectly embody this way of being in the world. They come from different fields: art, sport, science, but they share one essential trait: they never raise their voice, yet they make themselves heard. It’s their ability to measure what they say and choose the right moment that makes them so magnetic. Let’s meet them up close.
Maria João Pires: Pianist
Born in Lisbon in 1944, Maria João Pires is considered one of the greatest living pianists. From an early age, she displayed extraordinary talent: at five, she gave her first recital, and at seven, she enchanted audiences with Mozart. It was the start of a career that would take her to stages around the world.
One anecdote speaks volumes about her character and inner elegance: during a rehearsal with the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, she realized at the last moment that the orchestra had started a different Mozart concerto than the one she had prepared. Any musician might have panicked instead, but she stayed calm, focused, and played the correct piece with grace and mastery. A lesson in stage presence and control is worth a thousand words.
But her silent charisma isn’t confined to the stage. For years, Pires has also been dedicated to teaching: she founded the Belgais Centre for the Study of the Arts in Portugal to give young artists a space to express and nurture their talent. This commitment to others’ growth reflects a reserved, authentic personality that seeks the limelight only in service of art.
When she performs, you feel a rare depth born of introspection and sensitivity that goes far beyond technique. Maria João Pires prefers to let the music speak and that life choice only strengthens her magnetism. In her case, substance always wins over appearance, and authenticity outweighs fame.
Zinedine Zidane: Former footballer and coach
Zinedine Zidane is a name forever etched in football history. French, born in Marseille to an Algerian family, he dazzled the world with his innate talent, vision, and a playing style that seemed like a dance performed in silence.
Yet despite international fame, Zidane never sought the spotlight. He remained faithful to a sober, essential style. He spoke little as a player, and when he did, he never said anything superfluous.
In one interview, he said that if he hadn’t become a professional footballer, he would have delivered packages in his neighborhood. A simple but powerful statement revealing his awareness of his roots and profoundly rooted humility.
After retiring, he became the coach of Real Madrid. His style didn’t change: no proclamations, no hype. He led the team with composure, calm, and presence, and guided them to three consecutive Champions League titles, a historic feat.
His charisma isn’t built on words. It’s built on respect, listening, and natural authority. Zidane never raises his voice; perhaps that’s precisely why everyone listens.
Carlo Rovelli: Theoretical physicist and science communicator
Born in Verona, Italy, Carlo Rovelli is a world-renowned theoretical physicist known for his work on loop quantum gravity. Beyond research, he’s the author of bestsellers like Sette brevi lezioni di fisica (Seven Brief Lessons on Physics), which have made complex concepts accessible to a broad audience.
During his university years in Bologna, Rovelli was active in cultural and political movements, developing a critical and curious mindset. This experience shaped his scientific approach, always seeking deep understanding and communicating with clarity and measure.
In an interview, he advised young theoretical physicists to let curiosity guide them, stressing the importance of an open, questioning mind. That philosophy shines through in his communication style: Rovelli doesn’t try to impress with jargon or technicalities but aims to share the wonder of scientific discovery simply and directly.
His charisma lies in his ability to convey abstract ideas with serenity and passion, building a bridge between academia and the public. His discreet yet incisive presence shows that true authority arises from expertise combined with humility, without shouting, you can still be heard purely through profound awareness.
These three examples highlight how silence and restraint can amplify personal charisma, making an individual not only respected in their field but also an inspiration to others.
The power of rhythm, not performance
As we’ve seen, being charismatic isn’t about filling space. It’s about shaping it, moving within it with your own rhythm. A rhythm made of words, certainly, but also of pauses. Intentional silences that give strength to what is said and to who says it.
Those who know how to wait before speaking, who let a phrase settle before continuing, don’t show slowness; they show mastery. And those who fall silent immediately after saying something important leave a mark.
Pause is not weakness. It’s a gesture of inner strength. It allows the other person to breathe, reflect, and truly feel. That’s why silence must be trained like any other aspect of charisma.
Exercises to cultivate measured communication & speak with intention
Like every charismatic skill, this one is honed with awareness. Try these practical exercises to develop the power of silence in your communication:
1. Pause with intention
Before answering a question or joining a conversation, stop for three seconds. Breathe. Then speak.
Why it works: it creates mental space, slows your pace, and reinforces your presence.
2. Listen without planning your reply
In a conversation, commit to listening without mentally preparing your response. Be fully present.
Why it works: it raises the quality of your listening and makes you more attentive and incisive when you speak.
3. Practice active silence
In dialogue, leave small gaps of silence between sentences. Don’t rush to fill them.
Why it works: it shows confidence and allows the other person to feel welcomed, not pressured.
4. Observe your verbal rhythm
Record yourself speaking (in a meeting or presentation). Replay it: Do you talk too fast? Interrupt yourself? Fill gaps with unnecessary words?
Why it works: Self-awareness helps you eliminate the superfluous and highlight what’s necessary.
Conclusion
In an age that rewards those who speak the most, it’s the one who speaks less but with intention who truly stands out.
Charisma doesn’t need noise.
Charisma is presence. Even and especially when silent.
Read more from Barbara Suigo
Barbara Suigo, Senior HR Consultant, Author, Charisma Expert
Born in Italy and naturalized as a French citizen, Barbara Suigo is an HR consultant, author, coach, and trainer specializing in the Art of Charisma. With solid experience in corporate communication and extensive training in NLP, persuasion, and storytelling techniques, she supports professionals and companies by offering personalized coaching, training programs, and in-depth content.
Barbara is the author of the Charisma Trilogy, a work that deeply explores how to develop and harness personal influence and leadership presence. She has also published other books focused on personal and professional growth, solidifying her role as a leader in the field of soft skills development.
