Don’t forget the introverts.

I was recently discussing the book and Ted Talk of Susan Cain called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. What a great title. Why was I inspired to discuss this with my friend? Because of the countless Zoom and Google Hangout calls I am on every day. These tools are facilitating excellent communication and collaboration and have worked very well in a pinch, but I also see that they are exacerbating a key leadership challenge, inclusion. 

We understand more than ever that businesses with diverse teams outperform teams that lack diversity. We also understand that by diversity we mean gender and race but this must also include diversity of thought, from people who bring different perspectives and experiences because of how they were brought up, tough times they endured, the country they are from or industries they have worked in. 

We also understand that if you have been able to attract a truly diverse group of people, you need the ability and awareness to ensure there is a mechanism for hearing, listening, including and considering the varied input you will receive. 

There is great pressure on management teams to make decisions faster and with more at stake, survival even. Particularly with the Covid-19 crisis. As we have been thrust into a digital only world, this problem has been exacerbated. Now more than ever, we need to make sure we are getting the benefit of the diversity on our Zoom calls - and not missing the perspectives of our introverts. 

Susan Cain has written that at least one-third of the people you know are introverts. They prefer listening over speaking. They dislike self-promotion and favour working on their own versus working in teams. They are thoughtful and self-editing. Yet, they have made incredible contributions to society as has Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss and Steve Wozniak, who were all introverts.

Group video calling appears to be exacerbating the problem of lack of inclusion. I have been on countless calls with A-types talking back and forth for an hour. I see the tiny tiles of faces whose eyes dart back and forth from face to face. Your introverts have something to say. They can and wish to contribute but can’t or won’t. When this happens, you are passing by gem after gem.  Great perspectives and insights cannot be missed. Excluding key contributors in this way will impair your ability to make smart decisions. You will make more mistakes and you will have less organizational buy-in, both are dangerous and can be avoided.

It is so important for our leaders to ensure that the thoughts and opinions of everyone get on the table one way or another - before the meeting, after the meeting or even pulled out during the meeting. Before a critical decision is made you must ensure that all have had the opportunity to share their view. 

Getting the benefit of the diversity around our virtual tables is a great test for leadership. There needs to be room for people to share their perspective and thoughts whether they are an extravert or introvert.