Blowhards Quote by Lynda Obst
“True power is invisible and impeccable, like good taste. It is never clumsy or artless. Powerful people whisper, suggest, seduce, in order to coerce. They only use volume for effect. This is how you can tell a blowhard from a mogul. ... Most powerful people don't need to coerce; their mere presence is coercive.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Power of Influence, Lynda Obst, 2015
True power works subtly, influencing without overt force, relying on presence and suggestion rather than loud dominance.
In simple terms: Power is subtle influence, not loud force.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate quiet confidence and influence.
Themes
influence
leadership
subtlety
presence
coercion
Mood
confident
calm
strategic
Type
advice
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- leadership meetings
- personal relationships
- public speaking
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
authority
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you demonstrate influence without overt authority?
- When does subtle persuasion become manipulation?
A Different Perspective
L power can be misinterpreted as weakness if not paired with competence.
![“I have long thought that his [Rupert Murdoch's] social philosophy was contained in his cartoon show, The Simpsons: all politicians and public officials are crooks, and the masses are a vast lumpen proletariat of deluded and exploitable blowhards.” quote by Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/427/conrad-black-11016_blowhards_i-have-long-thought-that-his-rupert-murd_1245476.jpg)
![“It's unfortunate when an athlete's talent comes with so little forethought or leadership [...] The Falcons need to start over. If next year's team ends up being young and hungry but fairly average, the last thing you want as a general manager or coach is to have a blowhard cornerback whining about…” quote by Jeff Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/522/jeff-schultz-81563_athlete_it-s-unfortunate-when-an-athlete-s-talen_845429.jpg)
![“It's always amusing to see how much less the political class knows than the rest of us do. ... it's never occurred to [the likes of Senators Brownback and Obama] that they bear a worse stigma than any AIDS patient, being almost universally regarded as blowhards, crooks, dopes, and fools.” quote by Stephen D. Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fd1/stephen-d-cox-91414_aids_it-s-always-amusing-to-see-how-much-less_62268.jpg)
