The Best Leader Isn’t Always the Loudest
Rethinking influence, presence, and power in a world full of noise
The best leaders I’ve ever worked with didn’t raise their voices. They didn’t fill the room: they grounded it.
I never set out to be a “quiet” leader. In fact, I never set out to be a leader at all, and I certainly didn’t set out to do it “differently”. But after decades building global tech teams, launching high-stakes programs, and managing crises, I’ve learned that my quiet nature didn’t get in my way as a leader.
In fact, being quiet and calm has helped me lead effectively when the room gets hectic.
This Substack, Leading Quietly, is for those of us who don’t need to shout to be heard. It is a place where I will share the lessons I’ve learned from leading teams as an introvert and a naturally quiet person.
Why this, why now?
The conversation around leadership has gotten noisy. The internet rewards performative leadership: hot takes, power poses, “crushing it.”
But that’s not how most real teams are actually built, especially in high-stakes environments like tech, startups, or cross-cultural global teams. So, the “leadership space” and the work that real leaders are doing look increasingly different.
We’re overdue for a deeper conversation about influence without bravado, about trust, and about being fully present with our teams, whether virtual or in-person.
I’ve led global teams across Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery, and other large companies and startups. I’ve also led soldiers in the Army National Guard. What I’ve learned in both arenas is this:
The loudest voice in the room isn’t always the one others follow.
So what is “Leading Quietly”?
Leading quietly is not being passive or withdrawn, and it’s not avoiding conflict or waiting your turn.
Leading Quietly is relying on clarity, context, and trust to build a culture of action and ownership. It is about doing more than saying, both as the leader and as a team. Quiet leadership is delivering results in a way that lifts the team up instead of burning them out.
Who is this for?
If you’ve ever:
Wondered whether your introversion is a liability in leadership
Managed a global or remote team and felt the strain of “presence”
Been the calm voice in a crisis
Felt uncomfortable with forced team-building and performative slogans
Preferred clarity to charisma
Then Leading Quietly is written for you.
What to expect here
This newsletter will publish biweekly to start, with posts in a few recurring formats:
🧭 Field Notes
These are real stories from my career: what worked, what didn’t, and how quiet leaders delivered winning results.
📘 Quiet Playbooks
Actionable advice for leading remote teams, navigating politics, and creating high-trust cultures as a quiet or introverted leader.
🧠 The Thoughtful Leader Series
Reflections on presence, pacing, burnout, and how to lead in a world that doesn’t always reward nuance.
🗣️ Voices from the Quiet
Interviews and guest posts from other quiet leaders in tech, media, and beyond.
Let’s start quietly.
If this resonates, subscribe, forward it to a colleague, or just bookmark it until you’re ready.
The world needs more leaders who crave impact, not the spotlight. Are you one of them?
Quiet leadership isn’t about being silent. It’s about being heard for the right reasons.
If that’s how you want to lead, welcome home.
Connect With David
Follow David on LinkedIn for short regular posts.
Ride along with David during his Mustang Musings on YouTube.
Schedule coaching time with David.