I was recently interviewed by Mark Sadovnick, founder of the powerful movement Leaders Who Care®. Mark values the importance of merging profit with purpose, and is a personable, well-connected business leader. At our initial meeting, I told Mark that I am not really a leader. I am a solopreneur and work with a virtual team.
In my corporate career, I began as an advertising production supervisor, moved into an assistant Art Director role, and eventually became Executive Creative Director at a large organization, leading an impressive team.
But for the past 26 years, I have been running a thriving design studio from my home office. I am a solopreneur and collaborate with a savvy, seasoned, and loyal virtual team. They are available as required—project by project.
My humbleness seemed to aggravate Mark as he shot back,
“Everything you just said is a bunch of nonsense. We are all leaders in our own way.”
I took his response to heart. After some soul searching, I discovered I was always the quiet leader at the back of the room—listening, watching, and asking the questions no one else was. Through my career, my clients have been in the spotlight, while I led creative sessions behind the scenes with a series of questions, prompts, and gentle prodding. This is how I shift (or clarify) perspective, and creatively flesh out solutions to my client’s pain points.
Yet, even as a seasoned design professional, I envisioned leaders as bold, confident, gregarious, and popular. I have none of those qualities.
But I have something special.
My quiet style enables me to come to the boardroom table with eyes wide open, eager to listen and learn. My client list is varied and broad, allowing me to work with companies across many industries. Manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, retail, professional services, municipalities, education, and other sectors have enabled me to sharpen my critical thinking skills.
I familiarize myself with the intricacies of each client, including their values, culture, key differentiators, backstories, and how they handle conflict. We can’t grasp all of that by leading the conversation. We capture that insight by asking questions, building on what they say, spurring them for more details, all while listening with quiet intrigue.
That is how I dig to the core of my client’s brand. That is the source for my intuitive creations. From websites to trade show booths, logos, social media campaigns, print, video, and content creation, I translate the heart of companies into visual brands.
Alrighty then, I am a leader after all. Dammit, I lead successful projects with specialized team members and consistently deliver outstanding creative work. My clients are always impressed with the measurable results they receive.
Huh, that is leadership.
And here is what I now know: Leadership comes in many forms. As a shy, empathetic introvert, I have learned to lead with a quiet energy. But with energy that delivers bold, clear, and consistent results. As a leader, I am introspective, intuitive, and sensitive. I guide and support with great design and messaging.
I am a Quiet Leader.
Reflecting on Mark’s comment, “We are all leaders in our own way,” it became apparent how many of us are quiet leaders at the back of the room. The writer taking notes and capturing the essence of a leader’s global message; the nurse confidently supporting patients with compassion and understanding; the parent gently guiding their child through a homework assignment at the end of a grueling day. Some leaders are audacious and outgoing, and some, like me, quietly lead from the back row.
We are all leaders in our own way––and some lead through quiet listening from the back of the room.
Check out my interview with Mark here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs99UqKjs7o
Who influenced me in my life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs99UqKjs7o
Download my eGuide on Shifting Perspective >
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