The Power of Introverted Leaders: 5 Traits to Emulate

The Power of Introverted Leaders: 5 Traits to Emulate

Leadership is an essential component of success in any organisation. While many people believe that extraverted individuals make the best leaders, society has long celebrated the extraverted leader as the ideal, due to their charisma and energy. Consider some of the world’s famous extraverts: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Madonna, Muhammad Ali, Oprah and Steve Jobs.

Extraverts are communication experts and know how to motivate others. The business world lapped them up in the 80s and 90s, as consumerism demanded the inspirational, visionary and superior oratory skills, extravert leaders brought with them. Their ability to easily relate to people was advantageous as they had access to large networks of potential clients. Their mere presence as outgoing collaborators, being invigorated around others and energised, would provide free PR as well. In the office they were assertive, high-energy, outgoing, bold, talkative and dominant. It seemed introverts did not stand a chance in the corporate pecking order.

"There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas." - Cain

STOP!

Extraverts have now been blamed for serious global disasters, from global socio-economic disparity to exacerbating climate change. Extraverts have become a serious liability with their need for validation as their downfall. Consider the following scenario: a charismatic and outgoing leader takes charge of a team of highly skilled professionals, but their gregarious personality, loud, assertive über-confidence and tendency to dominate conversations rub the team up the wrong way. They often end up prioritising their own opinions and ideas over those of others as they organise countless meetings and brainstorming sessions with them as the centre of attention, providing them with the energy and validation they need, from their team members.

However, as they also lack boundaries and have poor time management, their team members become exhausted and annoyed, sick of cheerleading their boss. Additionally, extraverted leaders struggle with active listening, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunication among team members. As a result, team morale suffers, which stifles team creativity and innovation, leading to a lack of poor contributions from their team members thus leading to turnover and decreased productivity.

Extraverts also suffer from a terrible lack of motivation and self-esteem if alone. Worse is that as extraverted leaders command attention, they are more likely to be threatened by suggestions from their own team. Extraverts are easily attracted to recognition rewards and their competitive nature and need for validation can lead them to overlook risks, cut corners and cause collateral damage. Frustrated, extraverted leaders can be prone to impulsive decision-making which increases risk-taking that may ultimately harm the organisation. Extraverts are more risk averse and combined with their high level of self-confidence, easy distractibility and inspirational communication skills in their large networks, these thrill seekers can cause devastating large-scale damage. In fact, extraverts have been blamed for the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. It is also no surprise that extraverts are more often hospitalised than introverts and also have more affairs and suffer marital disasters or frequent partner changes.

While extraverted leaders may have charisma and energy, they often lack the essential qualities of effective leadership. Being extraverted does not necessarily equate to effective leadership, in some cases the impact of extraversion is devastating. There is growing evidence to suggest that introverted leaders are equally, if not more, effective than their extraverted counterparts. In fact, behavioural scientists have together with financial modelling experts come to the conclusion that introverted CEOs are the business leaders of the future. Introverted leaders have been quietly achieving success in various fields and gaining attention, Consider these famous introverts; Bill Gates, Britney Spears, Hillary Clinton, Michael Jackson, Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa.

In recent years, people started searching for new leadership styles, that are more grounded and less aggressive. They began to notice qualities and recognise what unique strengths introvert leaders bring to the table. Introverted leaders often possess qualities that set them apart from their outgoing counterparts. In the business world, many introverted leaders have excelled in their areas and thus demonstrated that introversion can be a powerful asset when it comes to leadership.

Susan Cain, the author of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," and co-founder of Quiet Revolution, has examined what makes introverted leaders excel. She explains that introverted leaders are excellent listeners, reflective and thoughtful decision-makers, focused and disciplined, humble and modest, and create a calm and stable work environment. We can learn a lot from these qualities and apply them to our own leadership styles.

Let's take a closer look at these traits and learn from some of the most successful introverted leaders in history, including those from the LGBT community.

Trait #1: Exceptional Listeners

Introverted leaders are known for their exceptional listening skills. They take the time to really hear what others have to say, and they value the input of their team members. This makes them excellent at identifying problems and coming up with creative solutions, as they are able to gather diverse perspectives and ideas from those around them. As Cain states, "There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas."

One notable introverted leader who excels at listening is Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple. Cook has been openly gay for several years and is known for his quiet, thoughtful leadership style. He is known for his ability to actively listening to team members and colleagues and create a safe and inclusive work environment for employees. His leadership style emphasises collaboration and teamwork, which has helped Apple maintain its position as a leader in the technology industry.?

Another example of an introverted leader who excels at listening is Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. ?Nadella is known for listening to his employees and creating a culture of empathy and understanding within the company. Nadella has created an environment where people feel heard and valued, which improves morale and fosters a sense of community and belonging.

Trait #2: Reflective Decision-Makers

Introverted leaders are often more introspective and reflective, tending to take the time to reflect and weigh all the facts before concluding. They prioritise accuracy and depth of understanding over speed and flashiness which means they are better equipped to analyse complex situations and make thoughtful decisions. They take the time to consider all the options and potential outcomes before making a decision, rather than jumping to conclusions or making snap judgments.

As Mahatma Gandhi, a renowned Indian leader, once said, "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." Introverted leaders do not need to be forceful or loud to make an impact, their thoughtful approach can be just as powerful. Gandhi's commitment to non-violent protest was a result of his deep reflection and belief in the power of peaceful resistance.

An open lesbian and introverted leader who excels in reflective decision-making is the American television host and political commentator Rachel Maddow of the "Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC. Maddow is known for her thorough and meticulous research and her analytical and strategic approach to journalism, prioritising factual accuracy and depth of understanding over sensationalism. Her leadership style is characterised by her willingness to consider diverse perspectives, which has earned her a reputation as a trusted source of news.

Also, reflective and thoughtful in decision-making, Nadella is known for his analytical and strategic approach to leadership, prioritising long-term goals over short-term gains. According to Nadella, "Empathy is key in building bridges between people." His leadership style is characterised by collaboration and a willingness to consider diverse perspectives, which has allowed Microsoft to maintain its position as a leading technology company.

"I don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to be heard." - Anderson Cooper

Trait #3: Focus and Discipline

Introverted leaders are often more focused and disciplined and are able to concentrate deeply on tasks and projects. As Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, once said, "I have been struck again and again by how important measurement is to improve the human condition." This ability to concentrate deeply on tasks and projects leads to higher levels of productivity and better outcomes. This focus also enables them to be more detail-oriented, ensuring that nothing is overlooked or left to chance.

Anderson Cooper, openly gay American journalist and television personality and the host of CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360”, is known for his calm and level-headed approach to journalism, even in times of crisis, the midst of breaking news. According to Cooper, "I don't have to be the loudest voice in the room to be heard." Maintaining a stable and consistent approach to leadership, even in the face of rapidly changing circumstances is incredibly valuable.

Introverted leaders have a remarkable ability to remain disciplined, and to focus and hone in on the task at hand and see it through to completion, even in the face of distractions and chaos. Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is known for his ability to remain calm and level-headed in the face of adversity, focused on his long-term strategy and disciplined approach to investing has made him one of the richest people in the world even in times of market volatility. According to Buffett, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." This commitment to maintaining a stable and consistent approach to leadership, even in the face of rapid change has paid off. Introverted leaders are able to concentrate deeply on tasks and projects, which leads to prosperity and robust results.

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Einstein

Trait #4: Humility and Modesty

Introverted leaders prioritise collaboration and teamwork over individual achievement, and they don't feel the need to constantly be the centre of attention, and they are happy to give credit to their team members for their contributions. ?As Albert Einstein, the famous physicist, once said, "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." This humility fosters a sense of trust and respect between the leader and their team, which can lead to better collaboration and stronger relationships.

Understanding that progress is more important than politics or personal gain, is the humble and modest United States Senator from Wisconsin, Tammy Baldwin. She is an open lesbian and known for her understated leadership style, which emphasises collaboration and compromises over individual achievement. According to Baldwin, "I believe in putting progress ahead of politics." Her leadership style has helped her achieve bipartisan support for important legislation, and her focus on humility and modesty has earned her the respect of her colleagues and constituents.

Trait #5: Calm and Stable

As John Wooden, a renowned basketball coach, once said, "Be quick, but don't hurry.", alluding to the fact that introverted leaders are able to make quick decisions without succumbing to panic or chaos. Introverted leaders are often excellent at creating a calm and stable environment. They are not easily rattled by stress or pressure, and they are able to remain level-headed, which can be particularly valuable during times of crisis or uncertainty, as their calm demeanour can help to reassure and inspire their team members, colleagues, fellow countrymen, even a whole nation.

One such example of a leader that remained unflappable in the face of stress and provided a steady hand during tumultuous times was introverted leader Angela Merkel, the ex-Chancellor of Germany. ?Merkel is known for her calm and analytical approach to leadership, which has helped her guide her country through some of its most challenging moments, be that the coronavirus pandemic, rescuing the euro, the 2015 refugee crisis or dealing with the financial crisis of 2008. She was de facto the head of Europe and the most powerful woman in the world for 10 years running. Her legacy is a determined and silent one. Her leadership is based on sober evaluation and projecting reliability.

Known for her calm and level-headed approach to leadership, which has allowed her to navigate complex business situations with grace and skill, is Land O'Lakes CEO, Beth Ford. According to Ford, an open lesbian, "I believe in creating an environment where people feel valued and respected." Her commitment to creating a positive work environment has helped Land O'Lakes maintain its position as a leading agricultural company, and her focus on stability and consistency has earned her the respect of her colleagues and industry peers.

Make space for the future leaders

While extraverted leaders certainly have their strengths, there are many compelling reasons why introverted leaders are the best leaders. Introverted leaders possess unique strengths that we can all learn from. They are great listeners, reflective and thoughtful decision-makers, focused and disciplined, humble and modest, and able to create a calm and stable work environment. Their ability to listen, reflect, focus, and remain humble and calm can make them highly effective at leading teams and achieving success. By emulating these traits, we can become better leaders in our own lives and careers, and draw inspiration from notable introverted leaders from all walks of life, including those from the LGBT community.

"The best investment you can make is in yourself.", the fact that introverted leaders are able to invest in themselves and their leadership skills, ultimately leading to greater success for themselves and their organisations.” - Warren Buffett, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway

So, if you're an introvert who has been hesitant to pursue a leadership role, know that your natural tendencies may actually make you uniquely the most suitable candidate for the job.