The extroverted introvert - how to succeed as an introverted Finance Business Partner

Finance professionals create impact through others

Per definition, Finance professionals are support staff. This might not sit right with some, but the fact remains, that finance professionals create business impact through stakeholders in the revenue-generating parts of the business. And thus follows the logic that finance professionals are support staff helping business stakeholders in order to realize the organization's strategic objectives.

Influencing stakeholders requires extroversion

If we accept the premise of 'creating business impact through others', it becomes evident that finance professionals must refrain from being stuck behind their desks, and instead, interact with relevant business stakeholders to understand both challenges and opportunities facing the business.

"...finance professionals must refrain from being stuck behind their desks..."

Regardless of personal preferences, interacting effectively with business stakeholders requires a range of extroverted activities including presenting recommendations, discussing insights, and even debating opposing viewpoints. This part of the job description is what makes the most introverted bunch in the Finance department cramp up uncomfortable behind their spreadsheets.

"...interacting effectively with business stakeholders requires a range of extroverted activities"

Unfortunately for the beforementioned crowd, the modern workplace is intrinsically biased towards extrovert preferences. It might not seem fair, but extroverts are?paid more, promoted faster, and rated more positively?by their colleagues and managers.

Moving outside the comfort zone

So what are you supposed to do if you're an introverted Finance professional? Do you have to force yourself to act more extroverted than your are? The short answer is yes. At least in some cases, where you will benefit from moving outside your comfort zone, as long as you know your personal limits and avoid depleting your social battery.

"...you will benefit from moving outside your comfort zone, as long as you know your personal limits and avoid depleting your social battery."

In the end, it's all about weighing the pros against the cons.

The 'pros' of forced extroversion

First of all, if you don't leave your introverted comfort zone, you risk that your analytical findings are not being communicated properly. And without proper communication - including structured presentation and data storytelling - your efforts won't result in behavioral change, and consequently, your insights create no real impact whatsoever. This also means that your analytical work is rendered futile and your time has been wasted for nothing.

"...without proper communication...your insights create no real impact whatsoever."

Secondly, research shows that we must move outside our comfort zones to activate the brain for learning. So, if you want to learn and develop as a Finance professional, you must learn to accept the discomfort of being outside your comfort zone.

The 'cons' of of forced extroversion

That said, research also shows that acting in a manner that’s out of character can be depleting in the longer term. In particular,?a study?found that when introverts act extroverted, they experience improved moods and energy levels in the short term, but their energy levels fall substantially just one hour after the fact.

"...acting in a manner that’s out of character can be depleting in the longer term."

This suggests a substantial mental toll associated with acting more extroverted than you are - a toll whose long-term costs may sometimes outweigh the benefits.

Striking the right balance

Consequently, people who are naturally more introverted will benefit from adopting extroverted behaviors in some cases, but must do so in moderation, and make sure to recharge properly afterwards. Only by staying true to your nature and ensuring that you don't get depleted, will you be able to avoid the dreaded extroversion hangover which might outweigh the benefits of your extroverted actions.

"...people who are naturally more introverted will benefit from adopting extroverted behaviors in some cases..."

Striking the right balance requires that you identify and acknowledge your personal boundaries through honest self-reflection. Activities that are exhausting and stressful to some people can be rejuvenating and restorative for others. Thus, there's no one-size-fits-all solution and you must take a personalized approach by identifying your own limits, how you use your social battery wisely, and how you give yourself time to recharge if and when you need it.

An uplifting note for the introverts

The good news for the introverts is that you don’t need a big, loud presence to impress powerful people.?A recent study?that assessed the performance of more than 900 CEOs found that people with introverted personalities exceeded the expectations of their investors more often than extroverted ones. Further studies show that while highly extroverted people are 25% more likely to land top jobs,?introverts often make better leaders.

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Inspiration for this article came from the two articles in Harvard Business Review:

• HBR: Can Introverts Thrive in Extroverted Careers
• HBR: Stop Telling Introverts to Act Like Extroverts