Introverts and leadership skills

In a recent leadership training program that I facilitated for mid-level managers at an MNC, a trainee came to me slowly during a break and asked in a low tone, ‘can I ask you something? Can introverts be good leaders too?’

I have spoken to him and gave him satisfactory answers which brought a spark in his eyes, but got me thinking how many more like him must be thinking similarly?!   I have had a student I coached who thought he could not grow in his career as he could not talk as much as he was ‘supposed’ to. There is so much cacophony around with people selling something so ostentatiously and going overboard, the other voices are drowned for lack of a loud voice!

Society seems to be so clear in labeling and demarcating people into boxes that these individuals start believing so about themselves as such!  Even if the terms ‘Extroverts’ and ‘introverts’ have their own definitions,  the interpretations and characteristics are not written in stone; we may have as many features as there are people and each to their own.

All so called extroverts are not great communicators or the only great leaders and not all introverts shut themselves indoors! It is not extraversion that is a primary leadership quality!  Leaders need not be seen everywhere making huge noise, if that is what is understood as extroversion.

In fact extroverted leaders may tend to overwhelm people and run down their ideas. Introverted leaders may be leaders who are good listeners and those who internalize before expressing, and may be the ones who encourage new ideas to be expressed and worked on. Introverts may look aloof, but may equally like people, only, they seek their own time, some solitude, and may be smaller groups of people, but may be very caring and forthcoming.  Being an introvert does not make them shy or anxious people. They are more often reflective, thinking people.

We need to make space for all kinds of people and stop stereotyping characteristics in a way that affects them and works negatively on their self-image and confidence.

We need introverts who give the others a chance to think and express, who ideate and strategize, who empathize and care for others, but not necessarily in the way others do! There are great leaders who inspire and develop their teams, but don’t like limelight or credit. On the contrary, the ostentatious leaders, we can easily name some politicians, may be all show and no work!

All kinds of characteristics of people are necessary and need to come together to complete a team.  Only, the leaders need the patience and competence to recognize and encourage them enough.

If you are an introverted leader, please don’t force yourself to pretend what you are not – loud or animated, draining your energy. You are good in your own space; leadership is not about holding up a show.

When a former clinical psychologist Alice Boyes was asked what people can do to support shyer colleagues, she recommended, rather than encouraging or pushing them to change, the right approach is to help them see their strengths- if they are thoughtful, sensitive or innovators in their fields, for example. Acknowledging their feelings and natural traits will help remove the shame element and make them confident of their capabilities, on which they can turn their focus.

Being authentic and true to oneself through acceptance and self-care, brings out real Leadership superpowers!