You might think that all you need for networking success is the ability to speak well. And that's true—but it’s not the only skill you need.

In a person's networking arsenal, silence is a powerful but underutilized tool.

It’s often thought that it’s better to speak than to stay quiet, but there’s a balance to all conversations. Why? Because people have an inherent desire to be heard.

So when you use silence to your advantage and pair it with active listening, you have the keys to become an invested conversation partner. Rather than waiting to speak, you let others do the honors. Then, you take the next step by paraphrasing what they said to engage in conversation as you gain insights into their values, interests, and experiences.

You may even find someone you have common ground with to then build a relationship. And in most, if not all conversations, they will return the favor and ask about you in return. This invaluable approach pays off in the end. Make good use of silence as an important element next time you are in conversation, and start growing your connections.

In networking and maintaining meaningful relationships, silence isn’t a weakness, it’s your strong suit.