The first explanation deserves a second look.
When a behavior is visible, its cause can feel obvious. That is a useful moment to pause.
Explore Human Calibration
A starting point for inquiry
A person is quiet in a meeting. You can observe the silence. What the silence means is less certain. They may be preparing a response, unsure of their role, concerned about the room, or simply exhausted.
Make room for another explanation.
Human Calibration asks what may be carrying the most influence in this situation. Body, Meaning, Behavior, Context, and Compass offer places to look. They help widen the inquiry before you settle on a story about the person.
Let the adjustment teach you.
An adjustment gives you something to learn from. If a clearer invitation changes participation, you have useful evidence. If it does not, the next step is to keep looking, with the person involved in understanding their own situation.