Illinois State Insights webinar: Unlearning silence

The Illinois State University Alumni Association believes in lifelong learning and career development even after graduation. Take advantage of these free webinars and live streams as they fit into everyday life to continue to learn and grow together as Redbirds. Be sure to register in advance to gain access to the webinar.

What if silence is costing your team its best ideas? What if it’s holding you back from reaching your full potential? In times of rapid change and high complexity, silence is not neutral—it’s a barrier to innovation, inclusion, and meaningful progress.

In this live, interactive author talk, leadership expert and former Harvard Law School lecturer Elaine Lin Hering offers a bold yet compassionate framework for reclaiming our voices. Based on her widely acclaimed book Unlearning Silence, this event is for anyone who has felt pressure to stay quiet, play small, or avoid rocking the boat.

You’ll explore why silence shows up in our daily lives—not just in what we don’t say, but in how systems, cultures, and internalized stories teach us to withhold—and how to build the skills, awareness, and courage to change that. Expect thought-provoking storytelling, practical guidance, and a powerful call to action to unlearn silence—not just for ourselves, but for the people and spaces we influence every day.