A colleague of mine asked a very good question recently. He subscribes to Lead Quietly and asked what I meant when I close my blog with "Please Lead Quietly." I can't really mean you need to be quiet. Do I mean please lead effectively?
Certainly, but let me explain.
First, when I end the blog by saying, "Please lead quietly", I consier the phrase a tagline. As much as anything, it is a branding ploy. Kind of like:
- Walter Cronkite - "That's the way it is."
- Edward R. Murrow - "Good night and good luck."
- Star Trek - "To boldly go where no man has gone before"
Over the months of learning and blogging I have tried to distill my notion of quiet leadership into a framework, a set of principles, a manifesto. It's a work in progress. Nevertheless let me share my early thoughts.
What is quiet leadership?
It is leadership where the leader focuses on four principles:
- Building community.
- Acting with vision.
- Learning and adapting.
- Keeping things balanced.
So what does any of this have to do with being quiet. Very little. But these principles are accessible to any leader. You don't have to be charismatic or a super hero. Anyone can lead quietly. And I firmly believe that many loud, macho leaders would be better leaders with some quiet insight.
Your comments are always welcome.
Thanks for reading. Please lead quietly.
Don
2 comments:
This is great news Don, I am looking forward to your further exploration of quiet leadership as you create the distinction of your brand. Consider submitting the idea for your manifesto to www.changethis.com!
Over the years quiet leadership has been a constant goal for me; in Managing with Aloha I talked about it in my chapter on humility, calling it a “softness of voice” that I knew served me so much better than my assertive decisiveness. I had always felt that there was something more calming, nurturing, caring and respectful about those in the ‘Ohana who chose to speak softly, and it didn’t mean they were any less compelling!
I love what you say about your principles being accessible to any leader, for I continually find that people underestimate themselves and what they are capable of. When we connect to our best intention we become influential.
Rosa,
Thanks again. Your work and presence have inspired me.
I like the "softness of voice" concept. I agree wholeheartedly. A perfect approach for a quiet leader.
Finally, submitting my manfesto to ChangeThis.Com has been my goal. I am an active subscriber.
Thanks again,
Don
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