Calls for quiet leadership…

I went to the IESE Women in Business Club conference last week knowing I’d be inspired… and more.

I wasn’t disappointed.

And I was struck by how often the same idea surfaced — quietly.

Anita Bhatia, former UN Assistant Secretary-General and keynote speaker, set the tone early on:

“Choose your words carefully. Speak softly. Be humble.”

She spoke about memorable leaders she’s worked with who are gentle rather than loud, thoughtful rather than performative.

And it echoed something I see again and again in my own work:

Quiet leadership isn’t about shrinking or staying silent.

It’s about knowing when to speak, why you’re speaking, and choosing words that land…

With grace, and impact.

Advice from panelist Lauren Nakamura, Senior Manager at Bain & Company on the power of middle management:

“Don’t be afraid to fight — even if it’s quietly.”

And Cecilia Cosa, former global sustainability lead for Disney, emphasised the importance of listening, especially in cross-cultural contexts.

Not listening to respond, but listening to understand.


Maybe the future of leadership doesn’t need more volume.

Maybe it needs space to listen.

And care with words.