Can Introverts Be Good Leaders?
Posted on November 09, 2023 by Cathryn Noyes, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
The "typical" definition of a good leader is an extrovert who can boldly persuade and lay out a clear vision. But can an introvert be a leader too?
Leadership comes in many forms, but there is a common assumption that introverts do not have what it takes to lead. This is absolutely untrue, in fact, introverted leaders are more effective in many ways and in many situations than the stereotypical, extroverted leader.Being a leader requires the ability to motivate and engage clients, colleagues, direct reports and others. Introverts can excel at this by leading from a position of trust and empathy and it has been shown that they are better at developing relationships. One thing that introverts tend NOT to be good at is promoting themselves, and this can mean that their achievements within an organization might go unnoticed. If this is you, you may want to raise your profile, but if this feels uncomfortable, focus on celebrating your team’s achievements and communicating the value they bring to the company instead of promoting yourself.
If you are an introvert, how can you be most effective in a leadership role? Be your own kind of leader and lean on the unique strengths that introverts enjoy – great listening skills, humility, ability to form strong connections, problem solving, deep analytical skills and more.
It has been estimated that 30-50% of the population are introverts so you have plenty of company. Many introverts have achieved remarkable success, among them Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, Warren Buffet. Introversion didn’t stop them. Don’t let it hold you back either.
