Tactics for Quiet Leadership
Not all leaders are bold public figures who embrace the limelight for all the world to see. I had a misconception before that to become an effective leader one must be well known and recognizable.
Lately as I have worked with a lot of people I realized that there are lots of effective quiet leaders. I have not been a quiet leader for most part of my existence but on a few occasions I chose to be one just to know what it feels.
The advantages I found out about it were:
It was easier to Learn - People you work with who are very conscious on career progression don’t see you as a threat and is willing to boast their knowledge to you. This way you are able to ask and receive tons of knowledge.
Get to see a better view - Quiet leaders are able to see the better picture and get to understand their environment deeper since the people they interact with are comfortable and more open to share their issues and problems knowing they are safe with you.
People don’t have this fear of getting publicized because they see you as a man discreet tnough to be trusted
Proceeds with plan confidently - Since you are quiet people don’t keep a close eye on you therefore you tend to become more confident in your decisions since mistakes would not be blown out of proportion.
More Analytical - By being quiet you become an insider of the company and being in such a situation gives you a lot to think about how things came to be. As the saying goes “The CEO is the last person to know the truth”.
I agree with that since the information that reaches the CEO were already filtered clean information without the baggage of reality and they tend to accept it as it is.
Pointer for being a quiet leader:
Bullies pin you down - It is easier to bully quiet leader thinking they are pushover and don’t know anything. Always be on the lookout for people who might push. If that happens assert yourself and speak up.
Be present when it matters - By being quiet your superior would not know your capabalities enough to merit promotion and ascent to the corporate ladder. To address this try to be visible on things that matter that most like solving critical and complex problems to customers or making important suggestions that will impact the project and the company.
You don’t need to roam around the room campaigning yourself but choose your battles accordingly.
Gain loyal trust - By being an insider make sure to gain the trust of the people and be a good example so that you can expand your loyal friends and network within the company. Again, make sure you don’t miss out the important people.
Valuable skill sets of being quiet:
Think twice and deeper - When you are asked to solve critical and difficult problems don’t give your superiors a quick answer just for the sake of being the first one. Tell them you have theories or different approaches and would like to research deeper on this before you give your answer.
Invest politically - I don’t like politics but this is necessary and the reality of the world. Ensure that you have built your political bank well filled with important and helpful people. Don’t fill your bank that will jeopardize more than it will help you.
Choose your battles - the entire group is not behind you so make sure to choose your battles wisely. Winning that does mean engaging in every battle but it is also won through retreat.
Quiet Leadership can be a powerful weapon but it could also help impede your progress so it is necessary to know when to rise and be heard of.
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POSTED IN: Leadership Skills
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