Employers Are Actively Hiring Candidates Who Have These Skills
When I first got my adult job, meek employees rarely got into leadership positions. So, I believe the key to success is to be louder and bolder. Supporting myself unapologetically, doubling down on my contributions and accomplishments during performance reviews, and boldly asking for a raise or promotion was necessary to climb the ladder. But things are changing, and this year, “quiet leadership”—a more polite management style—is starting to pick up steam.
According to LinkedIn’s Skills on the Rise report, leadership and human resource management are among the fastest growing and most in-demand skills by 2026. This highlights the need for leaders who can collaborate with diverse teams and successfully lead and guide them across multiple functions.
Calm leadership is quickly becoming the model for the next era of management, and companies are feverishly searching for candidates who can embody it. So, I reached out to four career experts to ask what it takes. Ahead, everything there is to know about these under-the-radar workplace skills, including what they are and why they’re so popular, and how to make them a reality.
What is “quiet leadership”?
“Quiet leadership” is about leading with intention, not courage. Amanda Augustine, CPCC, CPRW, TopResume career expert, says this type of leadership is service-oriented. It emphasizes stability in the face of chaos, open communication, and helping others to succeed rather than trying to be the center of attention.
Despite their name, quiet leaders are not passive or absent, and they do not shy away from making difficult decisions. In contrast, they do not use theatrics—such as over-the-top speeches and loud talking—to establish authority. In contrast, Chief People Officer at Justworks, Jeri Doris, says they foster psychological safety and trust through calm and consistent behavior. They do this because they know their words and actions have weight. Quiet leaders think things through and listen before making decisions, remain present, and avoid dominating the conversation.
Why is calm leadership so necessary in 2026?
Workers at all levels want leaders they can rely on. The labor market is in turmoil, job security feels tenuous across all positions and industries, and it is unknown exactly how AI will continue to impact jobs. Therefore, LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher says companies want leaders who are not only able to adapt to their roles amidst uncertainty, but are also confident in leading others through it.
“[Quiet leadership] emphasizes stability in the face of chaos, open communication, and helping others to succeed rather than trying to be the center of attention.”
Furthermore, TEDx speaker and Founder of the Flip the Box® Method for leadership, Shari Leid, says, “Many people feel overwhelmed and overstimulated at work.” The pressure, outside noise, and exhaustion they experience are at an all-time high, and they want a leader who can be the “calm in the storm.” Showmanship is lost—stability, steadiness, and security of entry.
READ: Employees Are “Screening”—And It’s Putting Their Careers at Risk
Not to mention that the command and control leadership model no longer works, according to Doris. “Today’s workforce—especially Gen Z—expects leaders who understand their needs, support their well-being, and create space for their voices,” he said. Basically, they want their leaders to do more than just manage them. According to Doris, “Calm leadership directly addresses this by prioritizing listening and empowering over giving direction.”
Overall, this management style supports and empowers employees. And in turn, this increases productivity and makes the workplace more efficient. “When you empower people to solve their own problems versus micromanaging every detail, you increase trust and accountability across the organization,” says Doris.
How to be a quiet leader
Regardless of whether you already hold a management position or are seeking one, the principles of calm leadership are invaluable. Here’s how you can start building these skills:
1. Organize before you communicate
According to Doris, “organize before communicating” is a calm leadership motto. So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge or feeling frustrated at work, take a moment to calm your central nervous system. “The goal is to respond, not react,” explains Doris. He recommends taking a breath and counting to three at times like these and before high-risk encounters. Establishing a mental health practice, such as daily meditation or journaling, can also help you stay calm.
Additionally, use your words carefully and precisely. Get your point across instead of tiptoeing around, and always speak to your coworkers in a friendly and respectful manner. Likewise, Doris also suggests writing down your thoughts before having an important conversation so you can communicate more clearly and effectively.
“Showmanship is gone—stability, steadiness, and security are there.”
Lastly, if you bring up a concern, Doris emphasizes framing it as a question, not a complaint. For example, replace “this isn’t working” with “how can we fix this?” or “are there alternative methods we didn’t consider?” This not only shows that you are solution-oriented, but also leaves room for collaborative problem solving. These are two skills that calm leadership develops.
2. Practice active listening
Most of us enter discussions with our defenses high, and this makes it more difficult for us to understand where the other person is coming from. Calm leadership actually has the opposite effect. This underscores actively listening to others, and Doris says that leading with curiosity and asking thoughtful questions can help you practice this. This might mean asking what else you should consider, saying “what I’m hearing is…,” and so on. Doing this will emphasize that you are on the same team and help build morale. Collaboration and harmony become easier when people feel understood, according to Lead.
3. Empower the people you work with
Quiet leaders are experts at empowering the people they work with. So, pay close attention to ways to encourage your coworkers. This might mean celebrating their successes, expanding on their ideas, and so on. Fisher also recommends entering meetings with thoughtful questions that will facilitate strategy and creative flow during the meeting. For example, you might ask which future trends might make a plan obsolete, or whether anyone has any wild ideas that might actually work for a project if the plan were changed slightly.
4. Consistently perform with integrity and respect
Above all, consistently performing with integrity and respect is how you become a calm leader. Augustine says this means making your peers and colleagues feel valued and respected, showing appreciation for other people’s work, and taking accountability and admitting when you’re wrong. Doing these things signals that you are reliable and trustworthy, and this makes others naturally gravitate towards you and listen to what you have to say.
In this case, a quiet leader will have a calm sense of self-confidence. They don’t need to talk loudly or use fancy words to assert their dominance. They don’t operate from a place where they are trying to protect their ego or mask insecurities. Instead, they let their work do the talking, and they constantly encourage their team members because they know that being in the spotlight isn’t as good as helping others succeed.
Experts consulted:
Amanda Augustine
Amanda Augustine, CPCC, CPRW is a nationally recognized career expert, public speaker and career consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping professionals navigate the job search and career growth. He is the resident career expert for TopResume, where he shares data-driven insights on hiring trends and workplace changes.
Catherine Fisher
Catherine Fisher is a LinkedIn Career Expert and Vice President of Integrated Consumer Communications with over 20 years of experience working in marketing and communications. Catherine is also the creator and author of Career Companion, a LinkedIn newsletter where she offers tips and advice for navigating the rapidly changing world of work.
Jeri Doris
Jeri Doris is the Chief People Officer at HR technology company, Justworks, and a certified Executive Coach. He directs his leadership in technology and HR while bringing a unique, sustainable approach to the high-growth startup environment in both the US and Europe.
Shari Leid, TEDx Speaker
Shari Leid is a TEDx speaker, national keynote leader, and founder of the Flip the Box® Method, the first human-centered leadership system designed for a disconnected world. Through lectures, retreats, and workshops, he helps individuals and organizations break out of outdated boxes, whether in identity, career, or community.
The post Employers Are Actively Hiring Candidates Who Have These Skills appeared first on The Everygirl.
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