Many leaders mistake silence for respect - yet silence is often fear in disguise. When your subordinates can’t speak freely, can’t question you, and can’t confide in you, you haven’t built authority - you’ve built anxiety. Fear might make people obey, but it will never make them believe. And when people stop believing, your leadership loses its soul. True leadership is not about being feared; it’s about being trusted enough to be followed even when no one is watching.