Leading in silence: a psychobiography of Amancio Ortega’s leadership and organizational impact

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dc.contributor.authorDíez Ruiz, Fernando
dc.contributor.authorIgoa Iraola, Elene
dc.contributor.authorQuevedo Torrientes, Elena
dc.contributor.authorBaniandrés Avendaño, Josune
dc.date.accessioned2026-03-09T12:15:30Z
dc.date.available2026-03-09T12:15:30Z
dc.date.issued2025-12-16
dc.date.updated2026-03-09T12:15:30Z
dc.description.abstractPurpose – This study aims to conceptualize and define the characteristics of Silent Leadership as a differentiated leadership style through a psychobiographical analysis of Amancio Ortega – one of Europe’s most influential business leaders. Design/methodology/approach – Using a psychobiographical design, the study analyzes the life and career of Amancio Ortega through the lens of Silent Leadership, drawing on multiple secondary sources including biographies, corporate documents, and academic research. Findings – Through the analysis of Amancio Ortega’s life and Inditex’s organizational outcomes, five characteristic dimensions of Silent Leadership have been identified: humility, behavioral coherence, attentive observation, indirect influence and disciplined willpower, which have positively contributed to shaping Inditex’s identity. Research limitations/implications – The results indicate a non-charismatic and low-visibility leadership style that has nevertheless proven to be highly effective. Future studies should further explore this form of leadership, as it remains an under-researched area in the existing literature. Practical implications – Practically, it offers insights into how discretion, organizational design and humility can drive strategic learning and adaptability in volatile business environments. Originality/value – The paper introduces Silent Leadership as a leadership style characterized by specific behavioral patterns, offering new perspectives on influence exercised through discretion and organizational design.en
dc.identifier.citationDíez Ruiz, F., Igoa-Iraola, E., Quevedo Torrientes, E., & Baniandrés Avendaño, J. (2025). Leading in silence: a psychobiography of Amancio Ortega’s leadership and organizational impact. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-09-2025-0851
dc.identifier.doi10.1108/LODJ-09-2025-0851
dc.identifier.issn0143-7739
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14454/5389
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherEmerald Publishing
dc.rights© Emerald Publishing Limited
dc.subject.otherSilent leadership
dc.subject.otherAmancio Ortega
dc.subject.otherHumility
dc.subject.otherInditex
dc.subject.otherLeadership theories
dc.subject.otherOrganizational culture
dc.subject.otherPsychobiography
dc.subject.otherStrategic learning
dc.titleLeading in silence: a psychobiography of Amancio Ortega’s leadership and organizational impacten
dc.typejournal article
dcterms.accessRightsmetadata only access
oaire.citation.endPage13
oaire.citation.startPage1
oaire.citation.titleLeadership and Organization Development Journal
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