Getting the best out of everyone doesn’t always require LOUD leadership—sometimes, a subtler approach is much better.

From the desk of Miles Everson:

Happy Friday, everyone!

I am glad to have you here for another edition of  "Mindfulness by Miles."

Every Friday, I explore themes connecting health, career longevity, and the future of work. My goal is to equip you with the insights needed to navigate both your personal and professional life with greater clarity.

Today, we’ll talk about quiet confidence and its importance in today’s complex work landscape.

Shall we begin?

Keep reading below.

Getting the best out of everyone doesn’t always require LOUD leadership—sometimes, a subtler approach is much better.

One of the pillars of effective leadership has always been anchored on a leader’s ability to “command the room.”

More often than not, the ability to do so is based on the belief that a leader  had  to have the strongest and loudest voice in the room, whether it be felt through brashness or pure charisma.

This understanding of “commanding the room” may have worked in the past. But now, that may no longer be the case.

Today’s workforce landscape is much more complex.

Whether leaders like it or not, workers—especially those belonging to the younger cohort—demand much more from their leaders than ever before.

A  Gartner  survey of over 3,000 participants in 2022 found that only 29% of employees believed their leaders demonstrate authenticity, empathy, and adaptability in their leadership styles.

Meanwhile,  IDC ’s 2025 survey of executives found that many CEOs consider human-centered leadership–embodied by authenticity and empathy—as a key to their success.

The importance of having an effective leadership mindset is important now more than ever, especially as worker engagement has fallen to just 20% as of 2025.

This brings us back to the concept of “commanding the room” and getting the best out of the people working  with  and  under  you.

How can you bring the best out of your people without being the loudest voice in the room?

The answer is  quiet confidence!

What do we mean when we say quiet confidence?

It’s a leadership style that revolves around authenticity, humility, and empowerment. It’s defined as the ability to exude strength and competence without the use of excessive self-promotion.

So, what makes it so effective?

• It empowers employees and fosters trust and respect.

  In 2024, Gartner found that only 48% (out of 3,500) employees trust their senior leaders.

  Employee trust is a crucial pillar of organizational performance. Workers who don’t trust their leaders are less likely to be engaged and are more prone to not go above and beyond to achieve outcomes.

  Leaders who exude quiet confidence tend to empower their employees to contribute and take ownership of what they are doing, without resorting to micromanagement or a loud and brash approach.

• It cultivates innovation and creativity.

  Leaders who possess quiet confidence encourage multiple perspectives and voices. When ideas are solicited and multiple voices are heard, a creative and innovative environment is built.

  Encouraging workers to voice their opinions often empowers them… and empowered employees often have much more freedom to achieve outcomes in line with and exceed organizational objectives and expectations.

In a fast-paced and tech-driven workforce environment, these outcomes are definitely desired.

That said, how can you cultivate quiet confidence?

The journey towards this leadership style starts with emotional intelligence .

Commanding the room often involves  reading  the room. To do so effectively requires emotional intelligence.

Besides, today’s workplace isn’t just about cold logic and adherence to emotionless facts and figures; it’s also a nexus of emotions.

Leaders who can sift through and understand these emotions are the ones who are best positioned to earn the trust and loyalty of their employees.

Next is  authenticity .

Workers crave authenticity from today’s leaders. Platitudes and other forms of niceties are no longer enough. Employees want  actual  people they can get behind with and follow through thick and thin.

Last, and more importantly, someone with quiet confidence needs to be humble.

Leaders who embrace humility by acknowledging their mistakes and being open to feedback from others are ones who inspire a culture of learning and continuous innovation.

More importantly, humility enforces the habit of staying present. A leader who’s humble enough to listen to others is one who is always on the loop and isn’t out of touch.

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The modern workforce is undergoing a storm of changes. Artificial intelligence (AI), economic uncertainty, and heightened competition are disrupting and changing how companies operate.

Sure, today’s tech innovations like AI can do a lot of the heavy lifting in elevating company performance. However, successful adoption can only succeed if there’s effective leadership in place.

Given that today’s workplace is much more dynamic and complex, employees need leaders who are authentic, humble, and empowering.

… and right now, quiet confidence is the type of leadership style that best reflects those needs.

So, if you want your organization to thrive in today’s fast-paced and dynamic environment, it’s time to adopt quiet confidence!

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