The HiPPO in the Room
You’ve heard of the elephant in the room – but what about the hippo? That’s the:
Highest Paid Person’s Opinion.
It’s what happens when the most senior person’s view dominates every discussion. Not because it’s the best idea, but because it carries the most weight.
The risks are obvious:
Smart, thoughtful people stop contributing.
Data and evidence get ignored.
The team plays it safe and creativity dies.
Why does it happen?
Partly because we’re wired to defer to authority. It feels safer.
Partly because leaders forget how much their words land.
Sometimes, one casual comment from the boss can close down an entire debate.
So what can you do if you are the most senior person in the room?
Hold back your opinion. Let others go first.
- Ask better questions. ‘What am I missing?’ ‘Convince me I’m wrong.’
- Name the pattern. If you sense HiPPO at play, call it out with humour.
But what if you’re not the most senior person? How do you stand up without being flattened by the HiPPO?
- Frame it for impact. Try: ‘Here’s what the data suggests’ or ‘Here’s a risk we haven’t considered.’
- Use curiosity as your ally. Ask a question that shifts the focus: ‘How might this land with our clients?’ ‘What options haven’t we explored yet?’
Whether you’re the HiPPO or not, Quiet Power changes the dynamic.
Quiet Power enables others to step forward, speak up and think boldly, without needing to dominate.
It’s power that creates space for more power. Power with – not power over others.
P.S. If you’re tired of HiPPOs hogging airtime, Fast Track helps you stand confident and tall beside them — no need to roar. We start 17 November 2025.
Hippo post inspired by Iain Reg Grundy.