The Great Rethink: Presence, Not Silence Defines Great Leaders
Nov 16, 2025
I’m pretty sure everyone can agree 2025 has been a year like no other. For many leaders, it’s been a time to step back, take a deep breath, and reevaluate what leadership really means. When things get messy, it’s tempting to pull back and play it safe. Here’s what it really means to lead wisely. Golin’s 2025 CEO Index calls this season “the great rethink.” The Index is a framework that evaluates the communications strategies of Fortune 500’s top 250 CEOs across eight areas including media visibility, transformation and the ability to mobilize employees as advocates. You can check out the report here. PowerPoint Presentation
Leaders everywhere are reexamining how they show up publicly, especially as political and technological pressures intensify. Some have chosen to stay quiet, believing that silence equals safety. But let’s be honest, pulling back isn’t the same as leading wisely.
What It Really Means to Lead Wisely
Leading wisely isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when to ask for help. I think that last one’s key. Asking questions is often waaaaaay more important than giving orders. It’s the balance between courage and caution. Wise leaders understand that every decision sends a message not just to the boardroom, but to the entire organization and to your community if you’re a non-profit leader.
Leading wisely means communicating even when things feel uncertain. It means saying, “Here’s what we know right now,” instead of waiting until every detail is perfect. It’s the humility to admit you’re learning, too. I see humility as one of the key strategies of every great leader.
Wise leaders are steady, not silent. They create calm without covering up the chaos. They don’t react out of fear; they respond with intention. I think that sentence is really impactful but REALLY HARD to do. I’ve always been a transparent leader focused on results and that hasn’t always made me popular but I’m not running a popularity contest. I’m running a business.
Harvard Business Review puts it this way: trust in leaders grows not from perfection, but from transparency. When we share the truth, even the messy parts, we earn loyalty and respect that last far longer than a polished press release ever could.
Why Silence Isn’t Strength
I’ve seen this throughout my 35 years in leadership: when uncertainty rises, people start to fill in the blanks. If they don’t hear from you, they’ll write the story themselves and it’s rarely a positive one.
According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, “my employer” remains the most trusted institution in the world. That means your employees, your viewers, your customers, they’re all looking to you for stability and guidance.
Silence can feel safe, but it’s often the quickest way to lose connection. Leading wisely requires presence, steady, honest, compassionate presence, even when the spotlight feels harsh.
Practical Ways to Lead Wisely in a Noisy World
Here are a few real-world habits that help leaders stay grounded, visible, and wise in unpredictable times:
- Clarify Your Core Values Before You Need Them.
McKinsey’s research shows that leaders with clear personal and organizational values make better decisions under pressure. Don’t wait until a headline breaks or a policy shifts to decide what you stand for. Define it now and live it daily. - Communicate Early and Often.
Don’t aim for perfection; aim for honesty. Regular check-ins, short updates, or video messages can go a long way in calming confusion. The simple phrase “Here’s what we’re considering” is often more powerful than radio silence. - Ask, Don’t Assume.
Even in a true crisis, there’s always time to ask your team for input. People can tell when your mind is already made up. Listening before you lead shows respect and it often surfaces insights you wouldn’t have found on your own. - Lead With Empathy.
The Center for Creative Leadership found empathy to be one of the strongest predictors of executive success. People don’t expect you to fix everything, but they do expect you to care. Empathy doesn’t make you soft. It makes you credible. - Stay Consistent, Not Cautious.
There’s a difference between being careful and being inconsistent. Stick to your principles even when the environment shifts. Integrity builds trust faster than any statement or strategy ever could.
Final Thought: Be Present, Be Human, Be Wise
Leadership today isn’t about being the loudest voice or the most cautious one. It’s about showing up present, human, and clear about your purpose.
The world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs more wise ones, those who can stand firm in their values, communicate through uncertainty, and lead with courage that’s grounded in compassion.
Because when the noise is loudest, your steady voice might just be what brings others back to calm.