Self-silencing is repressing your feelings when they could threaten relationships or security and on-the-surface appearing agreeable.

I see it in my young students who are very concerned about affecting relationships by saying too much so they hang back.

An alternative to self-silencing is the good use of human relations – there is almost nothing that cannot be communicated in a civil way.

Asking questions instead of making comments is my favorite when feelings are in play – through questions you can make yourself clear and you get great input from others.