How quiet leaders exercise power
- Rose Ung
- Nov 10, 2025
- 4 min read
What is power?
'Power is the ability to make others do what you would have them do' as definded in the TED animation by KAPWA Studioworks (embedded video below). Power plays out in all arenas of life, from family to workplace to our relationships.
A lot of the angst, tragedy, and great movements in history and our personal lives come from either the imbalance of power, the struggle for power, or the attainment of power. Understanding power might be one of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves and as leaders.
How do people get power?
In Robert Greene's famous book, 'The 48 Laws of Power,' he outlined the laws for attaining, exercising, and maintaining power in life, business, and every interaction a clever and ambitious person will take. It draws on historical examples of each law in practice and, more fascinatingly, examples of those who do not respect the laws.
Since its initial release in 1998, this book has sold over 5 million copies globally, earning its status as a modern classic. It resonates with readers by providing insights into power dynamics and strategies that have been successfully employed from historical times to the present day. The embedded video below summarises the key principles in the book:
Robert Greene's laws of power summary:
Law 1: Never outshine the master.
Law 2: Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies.
Law 3: Conceal your intentions.
Law 4: Always say less than necessary.
Law 5: So much depends on reputation - guard it with your life.
Law 6: Court attention at all costs.
Law 7: Get others to do the work for you, but always take credit.
Law 8: Make other people come to you - use bait if necessary.
Law 9: Win through your actions, never through argument.
Law 10: Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky.
Law 11: Learn to keep people dependent on you.
Law 12: Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.
Law 13: When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interest.
Law 14: Pose as a friend, work as a spy.
Law 15: Crush your enemy totally.
Law 16: Use absence to increase respect and honor.
Law 17: Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.
Law 18: Do not build fortresses to protect yourself - isolation is dangerous.
Law 19: Know who you're dealing with - do not offend the wrong person.
Law 20: Do not commit to anyone.
Law 21: Play a sucker to catch a sucker - seem dumber than your mark.
Law 22: Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.
Law 23: Concentrate your forces.
Law 24: Play the perfect courtier.
Law 25: Re-create yourself.
Law 26: Keep your hands clean.
Law 27: Play on people's need to believe to create a cult-like following.
Law 28: Enter action with boldness.
Law 29: Plan all the way to the end.
Law 30: Make your accomplishments seem effortless.
Law 31: Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.
Law 32: Play to people's fantasies.
Law 33: Discover each man's thumbscrew.
Law 34: Be royal in your fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.
Law 35: Master the art of timing.
Law 36: Disdain things you cannot have: ignoring them is the best revenge.
Law 37: Create compelling spectacles.
Law 38: Think as you like but behave like others.
Law 39: Stir up waters to catch fish.
Law 40: Despise the free lunch.
Law 41: Avoid stepping into a great man's shoes.
Law 42: Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
Law 43: Work on the hearts and minds of others.
Law 44: Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.
Law 45: Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.
Law 46: Never appear too perfect.
Law 47: Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.
Law 48: Assume formlessness.
How does a quiet, introverted person exercise power?
If you set aside personal ethics and values, you'll notice recurring themes in the laws. My initial views on power, which were based on presence, charisma, and boldness, were transformed. Effective power maneuvers require foresight, strategy, emotional intelligence, intelligence, empathy, and disciplined thinking and actions. The more I reflect on this, the more I recognise that these are exactly the qualities that quiet leaders and introverts naturally have and excel at.
From my years of experience working with executives and senior leaders, I've observed that they are highly skilled in power dynamics. They often apply one or more of the 48 laws of power, but do so in a controlled and customised manner to achieve their desired outcomes.
Quiet leaders wield power with intention. Quiet individuals and introverted leaders typically don't feel the need to offer anything to others, rather, their focus is on making an impact and achieving their own objectives. As a result, they don't squander time and energy on non-essential matters and focus on their goals.
Quiet leaders prefer to avoid the spotlight, so they often operate behind the scenes, strategically influencing decisions and shaping outcomes without drawing attention to themselves. This deliberate choice to remain in the background allows them to maneuver through complex situations with greater flexibility and discretion. By doing so, they can cultivate relationships and build alliances that may not be visible to the public eye but are crucial for achieving their goals.
Quiet leaders don't seek power for authority or control, rather its about the thoughtful application of influence, where every action is calculated to produce a desired effect. This approach enables them to maintain a sense of mystery and intrigue, which can be advantageous in both personal and professional realms.
Application for Quiet Leaders
Grasping the concept of power is crucial for your leadership path. Utilise and capitalise on your inherent strengths and styles to enhance your influence (and power) because:
Your contribution adds value to our work and results. To enhance its effectiveness and efficiency, utilise power.
Without power, control is taken from you. Your quietness does not equal meekness, it is a strength that needs to be acknowledged.
Others are observing your leadership and style. You embody the qualities of quiet leaders and have a responsibility to illuminate the path, mentor, and guide. Perhaps without your knowledge, you also represent hope and serve as a role model.
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