Why Introverts Make Better Leaders

I first took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument very early in my careeer. On the “Introversion-Extraversion” Scale I was clearly an Introvert, someone who gains energy from being alone. If you asked any of my work collegues if I am an Introvert, they would laugh at you. As a Senior Manager my schedule has usually been back-to-back meetings all day, and sometimes into the evening.

Common wisdom in the past has been that extraverts have been thought to be more successful leaders in business. Business success is based on influence, and you can’t influence if you don’t interact. So if you LIKE to interact and gain energy from it, you will be a better leader, right? Extraverts are more directive, and that’s good, right?

Over the years I have learned how to be comfortable with a lot of interaction. Mid-career, after work I was a single Mom, so no chance for introversion there, with my extroverted son (love you!). I learned to recharge in small increments, taking time to “just sit” or for a short spell or take a short walk to recharge. I developed daily habits that allowed me to experience my inner world, like reading late in the evening and writing in a journal. As I became more comfortable with my ability to successfully interact I found it easier to do more without tiring.

However, a November 2010 Knowledge@Wharton Article Analyzing Effective Leaders: Why Extraverts Are Not Always the Most Successful Bosses points out that when Introverts are managing proactive subordinates the results may be better. Extraverted managers, who tend to be directive, can be threatened by proactivity and respond in a less receptive way:

Pairing an extraverted leader with a proactive team, he says, can hurt, not just hinder, the company’s effectiveness. “Once the extraverted leader responds in a less receptive way, that becomes discouraging for employees and makes them less willing to work hard,” Grant states. “It may also make them less willing to share ideas in the future, which would limit creativity and innovation.”

“Introverted leaders, on the other hand, are more likely to listen carefully to suggestions and support employees’ efforts to be proactive.”

The goal is BOTH styles, be outgoing and directive, and be supportive when needed. I would propose that it may be easier for some Introverts to develop an outwardly “Extraverted” style than vise versa So get started!

If you are uncomfortable meeting people, talking with people, or just feel socially awkward at times that is normal and natural when in early or even mid-career for some people. You are learning the ropes. “People Skills” are just that: skills that can be learned and mastered over a lifetime. You can learn how to manage feeling awkward or stressed by large amounts of interaction so that it doesn’t cramp your career.

Career minded people can identify and start to remedy the situation!

Dale Carnegie Courses for Individuals can provide an effective growth opportunity for learning how to move about more comfortably in the business world.

Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization. A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone
their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. Membership is currently $36 every 6 months, and there are 13,500 clubs in 116 countries.

These are just two options.

Pick a career you will love, and grow skills related to your profession AND your “People Skills” in parallel so that both support your career advancement.