Don Sisu walked out into the crowded Philadelphia street. He placed the soapbox he carried down infront of his feet, looked around uncomfortably, then stood on top of the box and cleared his throat...

Recently, I was publicly called out for being a mute. I am not here today to deny this accusation. I'm here to embrace it. You see, my family have travelled these shores for some times. I’ve heard stories of every kind of leader and mafioso in the books, and I’m here to tell you something…

They’re all necessary.

Every villain every hero, every friend every enemy, the good the bad, the verbose and the mute… they are all very necessary pieces of the puzzle that make up the tapestry that we call “This Thing Of Ours”. My focus today is one particular branch of our society that I hold near and dear to my heart as I believe I fall under the category…

“The Silent Leader”

In a world often driven by an extroverted ideal of leadership, the concept of a silent leader, someone who keeps to themselves and remains relatively mute, may seem counterintuitive. Our community has even taken to mocking such people should they venture out of their shells and try to take on leadership rolls. I believe the effectiveness of leadership goes beyond mere outward expression, and introverted individuals possess unique qualities that make them exceptional leaders and valuable community members.

Introverted individuals are known for their introspective nature, which can allow them to engage in deeper reflection and critical thinking. This quality enables them to make well thought out decisions based on careful analysis and consideration of all perspectives, fostering effective and rational leadership.

While introverts may be reserved in their communication, they often excel in listening attentively to others. This active listening not only cultivates empathy but also helps building more robust, meaningful relationships within the community. By truly understanding the needs and concerns of others, introverted leaders can make informed decisions that benefit the collective well-being.

Silent leaders often demonstrate their commitment, integrity, and work ethic through actions rather than words. Their dedication to their responsibilities and their consistency in delivering results inspire trust and respect among their peers. This can motivate others to show their own commitment, integrity, and work ethic, and follow their leadership by example.

In my mind, the notion that a great leader must always be vocal and outgoing is a narrow view that overlooks some of the diverse strengths of our Introverted Individuals.

The Silent Leader... characterized by introspection, empathy, leading by example, and fostering collaboration, plays a vital role in driving positive change and nurturing dynamic communities. Embracing and celebrating the contributions of introverts in leadership and community engagement enriches the collective experience and promotes a more harmonious society. And while I know “harmonious” can be a dirty word around here, as somehow it rhymes with “Kumbya”, the more you understand people, the more people understand you… and that leads to longevity… and I believe that is the one thing we can all agree on the need for.

Well… for ourselves anyways.

Sisu winked and smiled with his last words and turned and walked away.

Whether or not someone speaks in the Streets is not indicative of their ability to lead a crew. Vocal leaders are not necessarily good at the role in the same way that a quiet one is not. As you've identified, this is not the defining characteristic of what makes a good or bad leader.

It is however much more beneficial for the enjoyment of the wider world if people are vocal. If everyone retreats into themselves, a bit like what we have at the moment, it becomes rather stale, with only 8 variations of Kuku peacocking around. 

Interaction is, in my view, the thing that makes all of this work. There are other positives; demonstrates your knowledge and ability, builds a reputation, attracts like-minded people etc. but it mainly just makes the experience that much better. We can exist day-to-day, sure, but what separates the experience from any of the other many similar experiences we've all had? I've robbed countless local post offices, but how many times have you and I spoken? The unique events are what make it worth persisting with.

So whilst you can certainly exist being silent, none of the characteristics you've listed as defining a silent leader are mutually exclusive from a vocal one. You can voice an opinion and still be introspective, empathetic and an active listener. All you’re doing really if you're silent is depriving yourself of a valuable part of this life.