A fish that keeps its mouth closed can’t get caught. That simple phrase has stayed with me. On the surface, it’s about caution, about knowing when to stay silent to avoid trouble. But in the context of leadership, it’s about something much deeper: the art of knowing when to speak and when to listen.

Great leadership isn’t about dominating every conversation or throwing your weight around. It’s about being observant—truly understanding what’s happening in your organization—and stepping in only when your input can make an impact. Leaders who speak constantly dilute their influence. Leaders who speak deliberately command attention.

Leadership Begins with Observation

Leadership is not about having all the answers or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about seeing clearly—reading between the lines, understanding your team’s dynamics, and staying tuned in to the environment around you.

Warren Bennis once said, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” But before you can translate anything, you need to grasp the reality of your situation. This requires observation. Watching, listening, and reflecting. It means understanding what’s working, what isn’t, and where the hidden opportunities and challenges lie.

A leader who acts or speaks without first observing isn’t leading—they’re reacting. And reactionary leadership rarely inspires confidence.

The Value of Silence

Silence is an underrated tool in leadership. It allows others to step forward, to contribute, to take ownership. Silence creates the space for creativity, solutions, and growth to emerge. It ensures that when a leader does speak, their words carry weight.

Daniel Goleman, a pioneer in the study of emotional intelligence, once said, “Great leaders move us. They ignite passion and inspire the best in us. But their power comes less from what they say than from what they do.”

Too many leaders forget this. They feel the need to dominate every conversation, to impose their presence at every turn. But the most effective leaders know restraint. They understand that actions speak louder than words, and that words are most powerful when they are purposeful.

Speak with Purpose

Of course, there are moments when a leader must speak—and those moments matter. A leader’s voice should bring clarity during confusion, resolve during conflict, and direction during uncertainty.

The key is to speak with intention. Leaders who weigh their words carefully ensure that every statement has meaning. Their voice cuts through the noise, not because it’s loud, but because it’s precise.

A good leader knows that leadership is not about filling every silence. It’s about making the silences count when they do speak.

Leadership is a Balancing Act

Leadership is a delicate balance between listening and speaking, observing and acting. The best leaders act as the conductor of an orchestra. They don’t play every instrument, nor do they dictate every note. They guide, they adjust, and they step in only when it’s necessary to bring harmony to the group.

As a leader, your job isn’t to throw your weight around or to constantly remind people of your authority. Your job is to foster an environment where others can succeed—where the right ideas can rise to the surface and the right actions can follow.

So, remember this: A fish that keeps its mouth closed can’t get caught. Be observant. Be intentional. And when you do speak, make sure your words are worth the silence they break. Leadership isn’t about how often you speak—it’s about how much impact you create when you do.

Thanks for reading,