Clout

Laozi the influencer

In the old days, the best influencers were a bit mysterious, strangely reasonable, definitely inscrutable. In fact, they were so inscrutable that people had to describe them like this.

Careful, like a winter crossing, and reserved, like respectful neighbours. As grave as they were gracious, but chill, like melting ice. As true as timber, as wide as valleys, as messy as mud.

Who else would quietly clean up by calming them down, and who else would quietly steady them by keeping them moving?

These days, people like that don't care about clout. In fact, they don't flex because their superpower is making a difference without making it about themselves.