#70 - Why influence trumps authority!
16 Jul 25
In 2025, leadership is no longer defined by how loudly you speak, how large your title is, or how many people report to you. In a world shaped by hybrid teams, generational shifts, and growing resistance to top-down management, the most effective leaders are not the most visible, they’re the most influential.
This newsletter explores the power of Quiet Leadership - a modern, values-driven approach that emphasises listening over commanding, trust over control, and influence over authority.
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#70 - Why influence trumps authority!
What?
Quiet Leadership is a leadership style characterised by:
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Influence through behaviour rather than command,
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Empowering others to act and decide,
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Listening deeply before speaking,
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Leading by example, not by instruction,
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Creating space for others to thrive.
It doesn’t mean being passive or silent, it means being deliberate, composed and values-focused. Think of leaders who guide through calm presence, empathy, and trust not dominance.
Quiet leaders tend to:
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Ask more questions than they answer,
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Focus on outcomes, not optics,
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Put team growth above personal credit.
Why?
Several major trends make Quiet Leadership more important and effective than ever:
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Hybrid work requires trust over control
You can’t manage every move remotely. Influence and trust are the only scalable leadership tools. -
Gen Z and Millennials crave authenticity
These generations reject command-and-control styles. They follow leaders who are authentic, ethical, and relatable. -
Complex problems need diverse thinking
Quiet leaders foster inclusive spaces where others’ voices are heard, making better decisions possible. -
Burnout is epidemic
Loud, high-pressure leadership increases stress. Quiet leaders create calm, sustainable environments for growth. -
Influence scales better than authority
In flat or matrixed organizations, influence travels further than titles ever could.
How?
Quiet Leadership isn’t about saying less. It’s about saying what matters. Here are five ways to lead quietly but powerfully:
1. Model the behavior you want to see - Your tone, habits, and decision-making style set the cultural tone. Lead with humility, curiosity, and consistency.
2. Ask before you tell - Use questions to guide rather than instructions to direct. Help people discover the answers, not just follow orders.
3. Empower decision-making - Give your team autonomy and the tools to succeed. Make it safe to take the initiative, even when it means mistakes may happen.
4. Actively listen - Create room for others to contribute. Avoid dominating meetings or always having the final word.
5. Focus on long-term trust - Earn credibility through follow-through, not fanfare. Quiet leaders build strong relationships that compound over time.
In Summary
In today’s workplace, authority gets compliance, but influence earns commitment.
Quiet Leadership is not about being invisible; it's about being intentional. It's the steady hand in the storm, the coach rather than the commander, and the quiet force that shapes cultures and drives performance.
As leadership evolves in 2025, those who master the art of influence over authority will be the ones teams choose to follow not because they have to, but because they want to.
Have a great week!
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