The Introvert Magic: Why most successful leaders are introverts
Leadership aside, we live in a society that praises extroversion and treats introversion like
an illness that needs to be treated. And in the context of leadership, it undoubtedly is
deemed a weakness.
Here are a few factors which highlight the advantage of Introvert leaders.
- Thoughtful & Prepared: The gratification factor
Ms. Cain states that introverts “seem to be better than extroverts at delaying gratification, a
crucial life skill associated with everything from higher SAT scores and income to lower
body mass index.” Extroverts tend to be more impulsive whereas introverts are more
deliberate and premeditative, an important advantage of being a leader. - Calmness as an automatic response
It is in their nature to be calm and collected. When people around are noticeably stressed
and anxious, it spreads. While extroverts tend to get more visibly emotional and upset in
critical situations, introverts do a great job of maintaining their composure. So, when
catastrophe strikes, introvert leaders can hold it together. - They Are Great Listeners
Because they are a natural predisposition towards being observant and thoughtful,
introverts tend to be excellent listeners. - Don’t Micromanage: As the limelight is not desirable
As the limelight is not gratifying for introverts, they tend to let their employees take charge. - They Stick with Things
As Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s that I stay with problems longer.”
This is a major difference between introverts and extroverts. As Ms. Cain talks about in her
book, introverts can focus for long periods. An extremely desirable quality. - Hidden creativity
Solitude is crucial to creativity. Hence, some of the world’s most creative thinkers are
introverts — think Albert Einstein, J.K. Rowling, and Steve Wozniak (the co-founder of
Apple). - They Crave Meaningful Conversations
Introverts hate small talk. They prefer more in-depth, deep conversations. Quality over
Quantity and the respective impact! This goes back to the importance of listening. Introvert
leaders are great at taking a step back and taking the time to understand their employees
and their company. They are compassionate and make an effort to remain in tune with the
needs and desires of their employees.
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