Sunlight filtering through trees in a peaceful outdoor setting, evoking calm and reflection.

Lead gently. Change deeply.

A book for those who carry strength without shouting.

If you've ever led with empathy, resilience, or quiet strength, I want to hear from you.
The Soft Power Manual is a space for voices from the margins.
Help shape the book by sharing yours.

This book is built on real stories.

Vida Asrina Dhulst speaking on stage in a pink floral blazer, presenting on quiet leadership and soft power.

Why Soft Power?

I used to write a lot, in Indonesian.
Stories, essays, metaphors… I loved playing with words and weaving meaning between the lines. Some of it I even published on blogs.

But when I started writing in English, I held back.
It felt like I had to be more polished, more certain, and somehow, more perfect.
So most of it stayed as journal notes and quiet drafts no one ever saw.

This book is part of reclaiming that voice.
Not the perfect one.. the honest one.

I grew up in conflict-affected Aceh. I’ve lived through silence, survival, and the tsunami that reshaped everything. Now, as a design leader in Australia, I’ve navigated new systems, new languages, and the invisible expectations placed on women of colour in leadership.

The Soft Power Manual is part memoir, part field guide and part rebellion.
It’s for those of us who carry strength without shouting. Who lead with care, clarity, and quiet disruption.

This isn’t just my story. It’s a space to hold yours too.

Mock-up of The Soft Power Manual by Vida Asrina Dhulst, featuring the silhouette cover on a wooden surface.

Get in Touch

Have a question, collaboration idea, or want to bring soft power into your organisation?
I’d love to hear from you. Just leave a message below and I’ll be in touch soon.