The Introvert's Guide to Influence

Have you ever been told to “speak up more in meetings”? If so, your introversion may be showing, and your ability to influence might be taking a hit.

As a fellow introvert, I used to tell myself that my natural style of deep observation gave me a unique perspective. Quality over quantity, right? But here’s the uncomfortable truth: staying silent doesn’t make you a sage. It makes you invisible.

Yes, introverts have had their moment. Books like Quiet made us feel seen, and tests like Myers-Briggs gave us helpful labels (INTJ anyone?). But the reality remains: if you want to lead and influence effectively, you need to find your voice.

Here’s why:

Passion is the new currency

1. Organizations expect leaders to ooze passion for their work. It’s practically a job requirement now. An analysis of 200 million job postings found that the word "passion" appeared ten times more frequently in 2019 than in 2007.
2. Furthermore, research at Harvard Business School found that extroverted leaders naturally score higher on perceived passion because they’re more expressive and animated. Leaders that were perceived to be more passionate were rewarded with promotions.

But fear not, my fellow introverts

Influence is a game we can win too. It just requires strategy. Here are three battle-tested hacks:

1. Prepare Thoughtfully. Don’t just skim the meeting agenda—study it. Note your key insights, questions, and where you lean on important outcomes. Use research to glean new relevant ideas that could be useful.
2. Pre-socialize Your Ideas. Smaller groups are your sweet spot. Use pre-meeting chats to float ideas, get reactions, and build early momentum. This can also reveal where your perspective will add the most value.
3. Speak Early. Research on group decision-making shows that early speakers shape the conversation. Like the first offer in a negotiation, speaking early anchors the debate and establishes you as a thought leader. Ask open-ended questions to position yourself as engaged and influential.

Being an introverted leader doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines. It means playing the long game—thoughtfully, strategically, and with intention. You have something to say. The world just needs to hear it.