Poul

Poul (pronounced 'pole') is a neologism, or newly coined word, referring to the act of expressing oneself through performative inaction or calculated avoidance. It signifies a deliberate strategy of withholding participation, opinion, or assistance, often to observe, manipulate, or exert control over a situation or other individuals. This tactic involves an ostensible lack of involvement while strategically influencing events through the very absence of action. Poul may be employed to avoid accountability, deflect responsibility, or to create ambiguity, leaving an impression without explicitly stating or committing to a viewpoint. The word's genesis is from the latin root 'pollere' referring to the act of abstaining.

Poul meaning with examples

• During the board meeting, the CEO employed a classic Poul. He remained silent throughout the debate, letting his subordinates hash out competing ideas. By not expressing a preference, he preserved his decision-making power and could later pick the plan with the greatest consensus. This absence of directive allowed him to appear uninvolved while subtly gauging everyone's positions, ultimately letting them guide the outcome.
• Sarah felt her friends were overly focused on gossip. Instead of directly confronting them, she utilized Poul. She listened passively, offering minimal responses, thereby discouraging further discussion in her presence without directly condemning their behavior. This enabled her to maintain her friendships while expressing her aversion to their negativity through omission rather than confrontation, skillfully controlling the narrative.
• The politician facing a scandal responded by implementing Poul. He issued no direct denial or explanation, letting his press secretary handle media inquiries. By staying out of the public eye, he avoided missteps and prolonged the issue in the news cycle and allowing the allegations to lose focus, subtly influencing the public perception by delaying any direct confrontation or defense of the claims.
• In the negotiation, the mediator's use of Poul proved effective. He allowed the parties to clash without interfering directly. He remained neutral, offering only minimal prompts and questions. His inaction and controlled avoidance of taking sides forced them to find common ground on their own, enabling a collaborative resolution instead of imposing a top-down, and possibly unfavorable, result through interference.