Leading Quietly: Embracing the Strengths of Introverted Leadership

For a long time, I thought I had to be someone I wasn’t in order to succeed as a leader. The world told me that to be effective, I needed to be the life of the networking event, dominating meetings, and making snap decisions. That’s just not me. I’m a social introvert—I love people and making connections, but honestly, it drains me.

I’ve always preferred smaller, more intimate settings where I can have deeper conversations and take the time to think things through. When it comes to big decisions, I need to analyze the situation, run through different scenarios in my head, and make sure I’m being thoughtful about every aspect. Once I realized I didn’t need to be that loud, extroverted leader, everything changed. I finally allowed myself to lead in a way that felt right to me.

Finding Strength in Introversion

Here’s the thing: introverts bring so much value to leadership roles that often goes unnoticed. We tend to think deeply before making decisions, and we’re usually empathetic, which makes us great at understanding how people feel. This emotional intelligence is a real asset when it comes to creating a safe and supportive environment for teams to grow.

One of the things I’m proud of as an introverted leader is that I listen—really listen. I pay attention not just to what’s being said but also to what’s not being said. I watch for body language and non-verbal cues, and that gives me a better read on situations. During the pandemic, when everything moved to Zoom, I realized just how much I relied on those cues. It was tough to adjust at first, but it reminded me of the importance of paying attention to the whole picture, even when you can’t see everything.

Another thing I’ve learned to embrace is giving my team the space to make decisions. I’m not a micromanager, and I don’t want to be. I prefer to give my team autonomy to do their best work, trusting that they’ll make the right calls. I think this stems from my introverted nature—since I value reflection and independence, I extend the same trust to others.

On top of that, being introverted has given me a creative edge. When I have the time and space to reflect, I come up with unique solutions that others might overlook. Taking the time to think outside the box has led to some of the most innovative ideas I’ve had in my career. And I’ve learned that creativity often comes from being able to sit with a problem and really think it through.

Overcoming the Push to Be ‘Louder’

I can’t tell you how many times I was told to be more assertive, to “speak up” or be more aggressive. But that’s just not who I am, and it never felt right. I don’t want to lead by being the loudest voice in the room. I want to lead by listening, reflecting, and empowering others. It took me a while to get comfortable with this, but reading Quiet by Susan Cain was a turning point for me.

“Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured.” —Susan Cain, Quiet

This quote stuck with me because it validated everything I had been feeling. I didn’t need to change who I was—I just needed to embrace it. That realization gave me the confidence to double down on my strengths rather than trying to fit into a leadership mold that wasn’t meant for me.

The Pros and Cons of Introverted Leadership

Pros:

• Deep Thinking: I like to take my time when making decisions, which means I’m able to consider things from all angles before taking action.
• Emotional Intelligence: I pick up on how people are feeling, which helps me support my team in a way that feels genuine and caring.
• Listening Skills: Listening is my superpower. I don’t just hear words; I pay attention to what’s being communicated underneath it all, and that makes all the difference.
• Encouraging Autonomy: I trust my team to do their best work and give them the space to make decisions on their own.
• Creativity and Innovation: When I have time to reflect, I can come up with creative solutions that might not be obvious at first glance.
• Meaningful Connections: I love building real, authentic relationships. It’s not about quantity for me—it’s about quality.

Cons:

• Energy Drain: Large group settings can be exhausting for me, so I need more downtime to recharge after events or big meetings.
• Slower Decision-Making: Because I like to think things through, I can be slower to make decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Perceptions of Passivity: Sometimes, people mistake my quietness for disengagement, when in reality, I’m fully tuned in—just processing in my own way.

Advice to Fellow Introverts

If you’re an introvert aspiring to leadership, embrace your unique strengths. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact. Lean into your empathy, your thoughtfulness, and your ability to listen. You’ve got everything you need to be a great leader—it’s just about leading in a way that feels true to you.