What If Knowing When to Be Introverted or Extroverted Was a Skill?

I’ve claimed Team Introvert for years. I’ve leaned into the idea that I thrive in deeper conversations, that I recharge in solitude, and that I bring a different kind of leadership to the table.

But the whole point of this What If series is to challenge whether we’re even asking the right questions.

So what if the real question isn’t whether you’re introverted or extroverted—but whether you’ve developed the skill to adapt when it matters most?

For a long time, I believed excelling in an extroverted role meant becoming more extroverted. More vocal. More visible. More comfortable in the spotlight. And while visibility and communication matter, I’ve learned that success isn’t reserved for one personality type over another.

After more than 25 years in corporate spaces, I realized it’s not about choosing between introversion or extroversion—it’s about understanding the dynamics of a room, recognizing what’s needed, and showing up with intention.

I’ve always been introverted, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t thrive in roles that required me to be “on.” I learned to manage energy instead of avoiding interaction, to prepare instead of improvise, to create my own version of presence rather than mimic someone else’s.

And I realized something: Many of us operate between both worlds. Some moments call for stepping up and leading the room, while others require stepping back and leading through strategy. The key isn’t choosing between introversion and extroversion—it’s mastering the ability to flex between them.

• You don’t have to be the loudest voice to be the most effective one.
• You don’t have to enjoy networking to build powerful relationships.
• You don’t have to crave the spotlight to command attention when it counts.

Instead of asking whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, ask yourself this:

• Do you know when to shift gears?
• Do you have the skill to navigate both?

Because at the highest levels, success isn’t about whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert—it’s about having the awareness and agility to lead effectively in any environment.

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