Colin Kaepernick's Counterintuitive Use of Silence

Colin Kaepernick is a hero to some and a pariah to others. According to The New York Times, he has also become one of the most influential athletes in the world, "all the while rarely saying a word." 

Kaepernick rarely issues his own tweets and does not participate in interviews. It's a counterintuitive approach in today's always on, 24/7 media landscape, in which leaders of all kinds try to shape the public discourse through first person use of social media.  

Kaepernick, however, allows others to speak for him. The effect is a heightened sense of importance when he does raise his voice, as he did in April, accepting an Amnesty International Award. His approach offers an important lesson for building a movement: you can stay on message and build support by giving voice to others.