The Art of Quiet Influence Quotes

“Sages do not hoard. Having bestowed all they have on others, they have yet more. Having given all they have to others, they are richer still. The way of heaven benefits and does not harm; The way of the sage is bountiful and does not contend.1”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“Dependent arising is one of Buddhism’s central doctrines. According to scholar John J. Holder, “the catalyst for the Buddha’s enlightenment was his penetrative insight into the dependently arisen nature of all that exists. All existing things are conditioned by other things.”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“In Asia, influence is about relational systems of obligation—not power and control, but building social currency. You give people access to others based on your relationship, not necessarily on their performance. Should you later request help from them, they will of course try hard to help you. You reach out into your networks and create opportunities. Business and social are not seen as different; both are about helping people move forward in whatever they’re doing.”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“these four foundations for mindfulness.”3 The four foundations are observing the body as body, feeling as feeling, mind as mind, and mental phenomena as mental phenomena,”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“Trust, however, is an outcome, not an input.”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“Kumbaya” came to symbolize the pseudo-Eastern (but really very Western) view that all interpersonal strife will disappear if we simply resolve to be nice. Sit around the campfire, break out the guitars, and nobody will be mean or nasty ever again. It’s a utopian vision, one whose influence on social justice and personal growth movements has been, in my view, unhelpful.”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“How is the world to be managed?” Came the reply: “Away with you, you boor! What a dreary question!”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority

“It’s a view that goes down especially well in a commercial republic, that quintessentially Western form of society, wherein citizens see themselves as untethered individuals pursuing profitable transactions in a free marketplace.”
― Jocelyn Davis, The Art of Quiet Influence: Timeless Wisdom for Leading without Authority