{"id":6134,"date":"2014-03-23T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-03-23T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/creator\/?p=5574"},"modified":"2020-03-30T19:07:50","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T23:07:50","slug":"secret-power-introverts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/secret-power-introverts","title":{"rendered":"The secret power of introverts"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ask central casting to send over a CEO, you\u2019ll likely get an energetic actor with a voice that carries. He\u2019ll be comfortable standing in the center of the room, surrounded by people, because he\u2019ll be drawing energy from the crowd. In short, they\u2019ll send an extrovert.<\/p>\n

We tend to imagine leaders as extroverts, but this stereotype isn\u2019t necessarily true. I\u2019m a leader who\u2019s an introvert, and you might be too. If you are one, you\u2019re in good company. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Abraham Lincoln, Steve Wozniak, Steven Spielberg, and Larry Page all considered themselves introverts.<\/p>\n

It shouldn\u2019t be surprising that introverts have qualities every business needs. In fact, research shows that four out of 10<\/a> top corporate executives are introverts.<\/p>\n

Misconceptions about introversion are rooted in our culture. When we think of effective leaders, our mind\u2019s eye tends to gravitate toward images of leaders delivering awe-inspiring speeches to rally the troops and then charging into battle on white stallions, screaming for others to follow. But by limiting our view of leadership to these extrovert tropes, we run the risk of missing the power that introverts can bring to the table.<\/p>\n

The pressure to live like an extrovert<\/b><\/h3>\n

In her book<\/a>, \u201cQuiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can\u2019t Stop Talking,\u201d author Susan Cain explains that in America, our schools, workplaces, and religious institutions are designed for extroverts.<\/p>\n

As a culture, we tend to value people on traits that are commonly associated with extroverts, such as an outgoing nature, openness, and inherent sociability. Placing these characteristics on a pedestal can put pressure on introverts to conform to these ideals if they want to be successful.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany introverts believe that there is something wrong with them and that they should try to pass as extroverts,\u201d writes Cain. \u201cThe bias against introversion leads to a colossal waste of talent, energy, and happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Acceptance of introverts must begin with introverts themselves, says Cain. Introverts must be the first to recognize their unique value and learn to maximize their strengths.<\/p>\n

The hidden value of introverts<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Introverts have many traits that are useful in a leadership capacity.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Introverts develop deeper relationships.<\/i> <\/b>While extroverts tend to have a wide group of acquaintances, introverts run in smaller circles. As a result, they get to know people on a deeper level and form richer relationships. Introverted leaders tend to listen to employees\u2019 desires and needs and <\/i>take the time to support them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Introverts tend to think, then act.<\/b> They make decisions based on data rather than shooting from the hip, thus reducing the level of risk in any decision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Introverts seek to understand before speaking.<\/b> Terrible decisions have been made in business by teams that rely too heavily on the loudest voice in the room or the first suggested course of action. Often, the person who seems to be sitting on the sidelines may have unique insight that could change the course of the company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Introverts are cool under pressure.<\/b> I rarely lose my cool, and this has served me well in the military and in business. Introverts try to understand an issue before they move to resolve it. This is a huge strength in organizations that scramble around with a \u201csky is falling\u201d approach to everything. To introverts, that is exhausting!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Introverts are able to focus.<\/b> They don\u2019t try to manage 100 things at once, which we all know isn\u2019t effective. The ability to focus is a huge benefit for complex tasks that require close attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            The curse of charisma<\/b><\/h3>\n

            One of the most common misconceptions about introverts is that they are all painfully shy. While some introverts can be shy, some can become very open and outgoing in social situations. (The difference for an introvert, however, is that these encounters can be draining.)<\/p>\n

            In business, we tend to think charisma (a trait often associated with extroverts) equals effectiveness, but it can have its drawbacks. For example, charismatic leaders will often stick with a bad idea because they have already committed to it publicly, oftentimes leading organizations down a rabbit hole they could have avoided.<\/p>\n

            Conversely, introverted leaders focus more on getting the job done and less on letting everyone else know they\u2019re planning on getting it done. They find it easier to pull the plug on a bad idea because they don\u2019t fear public opinion.<\/p>\n

            It\u2019s about balance<\/b><\/h3>\n

            In my previous experiences, the most successful companies have diversity in their senior leadership teams. They have both extroverts and<\/i> introverts. Leadership teams that recognize their differences and capitalize on them simply outperform those that don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

            If you\u2019re an extrovert, I encourage you to let data and careful reflection inform your decisions, instead of just your gut. Of course, there are times when leaders must make quick decisions to capitalize on an opportunity or respond to an emergency, but there are more times when slowing things down to give an issue proper analysis is critical. Recognize that not everything<\/i> requires immediate action.<\/p>\n

            I would encourage introverts to be aware that our preferred tendencies could reduce the value of our contributions. If we don\u2019t speak up, then our reflections are pointless. If extroverts tend to be guilty of \u201cshoot, ready, aim,\u201d introverts run the risk of missing the opportunity to shoot because they\u2019re taking too much time aiming.<\/p>\n

            If you\u2019re a leader, you can take advantage of both personality types by giving team members plenty of time to process information. You can encourage more voices in the room \u2014 not just the loudest ones. And if you can get comfortable in the quiet, you\u2019ll find a balance that will benefit your entire company.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            If you ask central casting to send over a CEO, you\u2019ll likely get an energetic actor with a voice that carries. He\u2019ll be comfortable standing in the center of the room, surrounded by people, because he\u2019ll be drawing energy from the crowd. In short, they\u2019ll send an extrovert. We tend to imagine leaders as extroverts, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1132,"featured_media":34424,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43902],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe secret power of introverts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you ask central casting to send over a CEO, you\u2019ll likely get an energetic actor with a voice that carries. 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