Disrupting…

“Me? Disruptive?”

The other day, a friend thanked me for the disruptive truths I share here on LinkedIn.

“Tell me more!” My curiosity was piqued.

I'd definitely never been called disruptive before.

“Well, yes,” he said. “Disruptive, because through your gentle storytelling you challenge our assumptions of communication practices.

And truths, because what you share is undeniable and even obvious, but we hadn’t necessarily thought of it, or seen it that way.”

A light clicked on somewhere. Dots started to connect.

I remembered the inspiring book I’d read a few years ago, Quiet Disruptors - Creating Change Without Shouting, written by my friend Sue Heatherington.

And I thought of all the people I work with.

The quiet leaders who feel pressure to "be more extroverted" to command attention, and lead with authority.

The truth is, your natural strengths can be some of the most powerful tools in your leadership toolkit. And you can use them to make change, influence and inspire.

Even if you’re an introvert.

The trick is to see them for what they really are.

Leading with quiet confidence means:

🌱 Embracing authenticity

When you bring your true self to the table, you not only show up more confidently—you encourage others to do the same. Authentic communication fosters trust, especially in fields where credibility matters.

💎 Owning your strengths

Introverts often excel at active listening and deep thinking. These strengths don’t just “get the job done”—they set you apart as a leader who values depth over noise.

🌟 Redefining confidence

Confidence isn’t about volume; it’s about presence. A steady and thoughtful communication approach can command just as much attention as a loud one.

Truth is, leadership isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about learning to channel your unique strengths, and knowing how to convey them.

I’m wearing that badge, “Disruptive Truthteller”, with pride.

What about you? What quiet strengths are you channelling?