What if we don’t calibrate?
As we saw yesterday, calibration is a three-step process that takes place in a conversation on average every five seconds. Step 1: Person A introduces new information. Step 2: Person B responds to it. Step 3: Person A follows up on the response. Step 3 is vital. If it is missing, the conversation can’t go on normally.
Wait for 5 seconds
Let’s test the above: When you talk to someone today, say something (Calibration step 1), wait for the response (Calibration step 2), and then don’t react, just wait without moving for 5 seconds (Calibration step 3 doesn’t take place). Observe what happens. Most likely, the other person will react to you not reacting or in other words will want to make sure that you saw/heard the reaction (Calibration step 2).