The idea that you have to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact is completely wrong. Not only are those people kind of annoying, but their insistence on talking over everyone and asserting their dominance actually comes off as overcompensation and insecurity. In reality, it’s the quietest people that tend to be the most powerful.
1. They’re really clever.
You don’t get away by being quiet as a kid without picking up other hobbies. More often than not, this hobby will take the form of reading and writing. As a result, quiet people will be observant with the critical thinking skills to match. Don’t compete with them in a trivia contest, that’s for sure.
2. They’re super emotionally aware.
In addition to being well-read (and therefore understanding of the emotional range of a host of fictional characters), quiet people are powerful because they also observe the real world. They have a knack for knowing when two people are about to get it on — or, indeed, when they’re about to break up.
3. When they do talk, people listen.
Few people can command respect quite like a quiet person. Other people will think that they’re timid, but that’s rarely the case. They let the extroverts take over and embarrass themselves and then sneak in with a mic drop moment on the pub crawl. It’s a real skill.
4. They’re considerate.
Quiet people are powerful because they’re very analytically minded. They can assess a social situation and identify how things will pan out. This helps them make the best decision and also map out any unintended consequences of their actions. They rarely hurt people’s feelings.
5. They’re never careless.
One thing you can never accuse a quiet person of is carelessness. They’ll always come across as measured and mature because they’re not talking your ear off each night. They choose their words wisely, so when they say something, it means something.
6. They’re committed.
Quiet people don’t mess around with your feelings, nor will they waste your time. You might be carrying the conversation on the first few dates but once you get past that, they’re committed for the long haul. Their vulnerability and steadfastness are their strength.
7. They’re not afraid of conflict.
The worst thing someone can do is assume a quiet person will shy away from conflict when it comes. Trust me, they can give it right back, and then some. A quiet person will know how to shut the conflict down effectively, but not before they’ve thrown a few punches themselves.
8. They know how to subtly influence people.
Quiet people have a reputation for being great judges of character. It makes people trust them. If a quiet person has a food recommendation or a bad feeling about your boyfriend, it’s best to hear them out. When they have something to say, you know it’s something good.
9. They know how to embrace their passions.
This is like a fun party trick for quiet people. A surefire way to bring them out of their shell is to ask them about their favorite hobby or band that they’re obsessive about — it’s how they let loose and they won’t shy away from talking about it.
10. They don’t argue often but they always win.
This is one of the most powerful traits about quiet people. They know how to end an argument with a few choice phrases having listened to years’ worth of arguments around them.
11. When you see them angry you will fear for the other person.
They get what they asked for if they’ve riled up a quiet person because quiet people typically have a very high threshold for conflict. It takes a lot to get them in the ring so watch yourself if you have!
12. They command respect.
You’ll find that quiet people are natural leaders who command respect, even if you’re the same age. While you both made lots of mistakes, a quiet person is more likely to learn from them rather than get upset and ignore the problem.
13. They’re known for being morally good.
This isn’t unexpected — lots of people know that quiet people tend to have strong morals. It may be because they take fewer risks than other people, but at the same time, they can calculate each decision they make to ensure people aren’t hurt by it. Get to know the quiet girl — it’ll do wonders for your decision-making.
14. They can be mysterious.
Quiet people are also happy to hide behind people’s perceptions about them. People might minimise them or think they’re boring but that’s far from the case. Quiet people don’t covet attention, but that doesn’t mean they’re who you think they are. They can be mysterious too!
15. They’re kind to strangers.
Quiet people exhibit the kind of strength and kindness that few have. While most of us are performatively kind, quiet people will give to charity or support the less fortunate even when no one is looking.
16. They have compassion.
Quiet people are used to being ignored so they have a keen eye on any other marginalized groups or vulnerable people. They see how cruel the world can be and make it a little better by sitting with the new person at school or inviting the new employee to lunch. It makes a difference.
17. They still gossip as much as the rest of us.
Much as quiet people are noble and more mature, that’s not to say they’re not down to gossip like the rest of us. Even the most morally sound people need a break sometimes!
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