Introverts: 7 Truths About Why They Make Awesome Leaders!

What do Rosa Parks, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, and Eleanor Roosevelt have in common? They were all introverts! And in their own way, each one was a remarkably successful leader.

It’s not possible to put all introverts in one basket. Clearly there are a lot of differences between Rosa Parks’ quiet leadership via protest and Bill Gates’ billionaire entrepreneurship.

That’s as it should be. Introverts aren’t all cut from the same cloth – but we do have certain traits in common.

While the world would have us believe that the best leaders are extroverts, introvert entrepreneurs know better.

And now, increasingly, research is showing us that introverts make great leaders – and may even be better at leadership than extroverts.

With that in mind, here are 7 truths about why introverts make great leaders.

#1: Introverts Are Team Players

As the saying goes, there’s no I in T-E-A-M. Cheesy, right? But there’s also a kernel of truth to it, which is explains why it’s such an enduring perception.

While people who don’t understand introversion might think that introverts are more me-focused than extroverts, the opposite is true. Introverts are highly collaborative and tend to be effective leaders of teams.

Why?

According to one study, introverts are:

• Open to ideas and suggestions from extroverted employees
• Less ego-driven than extroverts
• Better at listening than extroverts

There’s also a study that found that people who are introverted are better at reading group behavior than extroverts – another quality that can make them good team players and leaders.

#2: Introverts Build Meaningful Connections

Extroverts tend to be the life of the party. It might be tempting to think that means that they’re better at connecting with people than introverts, but that’s not the case.

Because introverts thrive in one-on-one situations, we  tend to be extremely good at making meaningful connections with people – something that’s at the heart of relationship marketing.

And while there’s more to leadership than building relationships, it’s undeniable that having the knack of connecting to people can go a long way in business.

In other words, introverts might not hand out many business cards at a networking event, but they’re able to forge deep and lasting connections when they connect with people on a personal level.

#3: We Are Goal-Oriented

One of the core characteristics of extroversion is the tendency to seek outside approval for accomplishments.

My extrovert husband is a perfect example of that! 😉

What that means is that, that people who are extroverts may not be internally driven as much as they are driven by what other people think of them.

What does that mean for people in a leadership position?

In a nutshell, introverts are likely to be motivated by their internal definitions of success. That may include reaching certain goals, but it’s also likely to include team motivation and productivity.

On a related note, introverts aren’t easily distracted, and that means they’re likely to stick to deadlines and deliver work on time – something that’s undeniably important for anybody in a leadership position.

#4: The Introverted Have Incredible Focus

When you’re working on a deadline or trying to overcome a challenge, being able to focus on the matter at hand is undeniably important.

 And it probably won’t surprise you to know that focus is an introvert trait that can serve you well in business.

Introverts prefer not to be interrupted. As a result, they’re less likely to interrupt themselves by responding to outside distractions.

An extrovert, on the other hand, might spend time socializing or checking social media instead of focusing on their work.

#5: We Are Great Communicators

There’s more to communication than simply being the loudest person in the room. In fact, sometimes, extroversion can be the enemy of good communication

– and thus, the enemy of good business.

Introverts take communication seriously, and that’s something that translates directly to strong and effective leadership. For example, introverted leaders:

• Put a lot of time and effort into clear public communication – perhaps because they’re not comfortable in front of a crowd, they’re likely to prioritize clarity.
• Choose their words carefully and think about their intended audience. Introverts understand the power of language and tend to use it effectively in any situation.
• Listen to others and respond to their concerns. Communication only works when it’s a two-way street and introverts are expert listeners who put their compassion to work as leaders.

There have been very few great leaders who were not also great communicators.

#6: Introverts Are Deliberate Thinkers

The decisions that got a lot of attention are often the ones that happen quickly, without deliberation and with a focus on speed. That’s not the way introverts work – and in a position of leadership, that can be a very good thing.

There’s evidence that shows that introverts have more gray matter in the areas of the brain that are responsible for decision making and abstract thinking than extroverts do.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but this characteristic is one that stands out in terms of leadership.

Introverts turn inward when there’s a decision to be made.

They focus intently on what they know and feel to make decisions and are unlikely to be swayed by external pressure or what others will think.

#7: Introvert Entrepreneurs Are Humble

It might seem odd to equate humility with great leadership, but there’s plenty of evidence to show that the best leaders are also humble leaders.

Here are some of the things that humble leaders do:

• They minimize differences in status and treat employees as equals
• They’re open to ideas from employees at every level
• They value input from other people
• They’re able to admit wrongdoing and accept blame
• They’re able to change course when something isn’t working as expected

In any kind of leadership, a little humility goes a long way. It’s what makes introverted leaders grounded and allows them to connect with their employees and/or clients.

Contrary to popular belief, extroverts don’t have a monopoly on good leadership.

In fact, introverts have characteristics that make them incredibly effective (and successful) as leaders in every walk of life.

Feel good about yourself Introvert! Us Introverts Are Awesome!!

‘Til Next Time…

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