For years, servant leadership has dominated Silicon Valley. Leaders have been taught to listen more than they speak, empower their teams by stepping aside, and let autonomy drive innovation. This philosophy promises trust, collaboration, and empowerment. And, for a time, it worked well.
But that era is over. The world has changed and today’s fast-paced, hyper-competitive environment demands something different. While well-intentioned, servant leadership slows decisions, stifles bold action, and falters in moments when innovation is critical.
Instead, what the world needs now is opinionated leadership. This is a style defined by clarity, decisiveness, and a willingness to take risks. Opinionated leaders don’t shy away from responsibility, they own it. And rather than waiting for alignment to emerge, they create it. I’m not talking about micromanaging. I’m talking about steering the ship with conviction — especially when the waters are choppy.
The fall of servant leadership
When I first stepped into decision maker roles, servant leadership was the gold standard. I believed that by empowering my team, staying out of their way, and fostering collaboration, the best ideas would surface naturally. This philosophy guided me for years.
But cracks in the model eventually emerged. As the tech industry grew and changed, small teams at startups disrupted established companies and assumed norms. Employees at larger organizations needed cross-functional alignment, which was bogged down without having a clear decision-maker. Even when autonomous teams converged to a decision collaboratively, they knew that it might not stick without leadership’s backing.
Brilliant engineers and designers experienced this every day — pouring their hearts into bold ideas that they believed to be high priority, only to hear later from leadership that they didn’t align with the company’s strategy. The promise of servant leadership was falling short because leaders often failed to provide necessary clarity and focus.
Fast-forward to today, where we’re navigating relentless competition, rapid technological advancements, and economic uncertainty. These pressures demand a leadership style that cuts through ambiguity, drives bold decisions, and ensures alignment.
Why Silicon Valley needs opinionated leadership now
Opinionated leadership is rooted in action and clarity. Where servant leadership thrives in calmer times, opinionated leadership is built for periods of unrest and uncertainty — like the current moment.
This style of leadership isn’t about micromanaging your team. It’s about owning the big calls, reducing ambiguity, and setting a high bar for execution. Opinionated leaders articulate a clear vision, rally their teams around it, and take responsibility for the risks involved. This makes them significantly more hands-on than a traditional servant leader.
Traits of opinionated leadership
Opinionated leadership is a skillset. Here’s what it looks like in practice:
- Clarity over consensus: Decisions don’t have to be unanimous, but they must move the business forward. I make it a rule to end every meeting with a summary of our decisions. This removes ambiguity around next steps and gives clarity on expectations.
- Decisiveness backed by listening: Before making a call, I ask my team to present a few options, including the pros and cons. We discuss them openly. Once I’ve heard every voice, I make the final decision, share my rationale, and assume ownership of the risks.
- High standards in action: Opinionated leadership only works when you model decisive action and high standards. I recall a Miro summit where an equipment issue almost derailed a presentation. Thankfully, the participants (two senior leaders) improvised a solution on the spot, using the materials available to fill in for the missing items. Leaders need to embody how to move fast and solve problems, because the world won’t wait.
- Empowering within boundaries: Leadership isn’t about micromanaging every detail, it’s about creating intentional limits. I set clear priorities — “We will focus on customers A, not B” — so my team has the freedom to innovate within those boundaries.
How opinionated leadership unlocks innovation
Innovation requires risk, yet fear often holds teams back. In a recent Miro survey, 62% of leaders identified fear as a major barrier to innovation.
But opinionated leadership isn’t deterred by fear. By owning the risks of bold decisions, leaders create psychological safety for their teams. At Miro, this approach has driven unprecedented innovation.
When Jeff Chow joined Miro as our head of product, he set a clear, ambitious vision: structured documents, AI, and prototyping. By focusing the organization on these three priorities, he aligned every team and freed us to work at our highest potential. The result? The most significant product changes in our company’s history, delivered in record time.
Challenges associated with opinionated leadership and overcoming them
The biggest misconception about opinionated leadership is that it’s dismissive. In reality, it only works when leaders balance decisiveness with listening.
I’ve learned this balance through experience. Early in my career, I hesitated to assert my point of view because I didn’t want to appear controlling. But when I failed to show up with a clear perspective, my team felt unsupported and directionless.
Today, I embrace my role as a decision-maker while ensuring that my team’s voices are heard. I use structured debates, clear priorities, and intentional communication to balance inclusion with action. Ultimately, I know that my team needs to feel confident in our direction in order to do their best work — and it’s my job to nurture that confidence.
The future of leadership
The world of work has changed significantly since my early days as a leader. Markets are more competitive, innovation is harder, and the stakes are higher than ever. In this climate, servant leadership simply doesn’t deliver the results companies need.
Opinionated leadership is the answer. It’s the only way to move quickly, align teams, and take the risks required for breakthrough innovation. Leaders at every level need to step into their power by adopting this style.
Leaders, I offer this advice:
-
Ask the tough questions: What decision am I avoiding because it might be unpopular or I’m afraid?
-
Focus on action: What’s the best decision I can make today to unblock my team?
- Be clear and intentional: What boundaries can I set to help my team focus and succeed?
Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, making the right calls, and inspiring your team to deliver their best work. The companies that succeed in this new environment will be led by those willing to lead boldly.
