There’s what you say and then there’s how you leave space for someone else to speak. Micro-actions aren’t always visible. Sometimes, they’re in the silence. Like pausing after asking a question instead of jumping in to answer it yourself. Or giving someone the room to finish a thought without rushing them. These moments don’t look like much, but they tell people they’re not just being heard, they’re being given space. That kind of presence builds trust faster than polished language ever could.
And when conversations feel uneven, it’s often because there’s no breathing room. If someone always feels like they’re trying to squeeze their thoughts into a narrow gap, they won’t say what they’re really thinking. Creating space might not feel like “doing something,” but it’s one of the clearest ways to show respect.