Introversion and the Leader (lead from who you are)

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi

As a child, I was painfully shy. I’m not really sure I was born shy but certainly my childhood of constantly moving from place to place and school to school created an instability and social fear. According to author Susan Cain in Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, “shyness is the fear of social disapproval or humiliation.” Shyness appears to be a lesser cousin to introversion. Introversion is a preference for environments that are not overstimulating.

I am happy to say that time, education and experience helped me move past my painful shyness once I reached middle age. On the other hand, on the introvert to extrovert spectrum … I clearly fall on the side of introversion. I am not alone in this, research suggests that anywhere from one third to one half of Americans are introverts. Our placement within the structures of introversion and extroversion is complex with many areas of possible nuance.

A great mix of myth, fairy tale and research suggest that leaders must be bold, charismatic, social, great orators, etc. (sounds like an extrovert - right?). I spent much of the first years of my leadership journey feeling inadequate because so many of those extrovert leader labels do not belong to me. The truth is you can be a great leader as an extrovert …. And you can be a great leader as an introvert as well. One thing I know is that you must be true to who you are and lead from the strengths of that place. I admire those leaders who are always ‘on’ and are charismatic, outgoing, entertaining and socially adept leaders - but that just isn’t me. As more of an introvert I have to guard my energy and plan intentionally for how best to ‘spend’ my ‘on’ moments and also how to schedule down time to recharge my energy.

I find that naturally introverted leaders are often the best listeners, the ones willing to reflect and go deeper, the ones who value and practice appropriate vulnerability, and the ones that form deep relational capacity with those who work with them. Often an introverted leader has strong insight in their employees strengths, abilities, and interests and they use this to provide focused and intentional support.

As a natural introvert…. I can still be extroverted when my leadership role requires it - especially if it relates to the vision, mission and my personal passion to make a difference. I just can’t be that all the time or it will lead to burn out.

How about you? Where do you fit on the introvert/extrovert scale and how do you spend and recharge your energy?

“We know from myths and fairy tales that there are many different kinds of powers in this world. One child is given a light saber, another a wizard's education. The trick is not to amass all the different kinds of power, but to use well the kind you've been granted.” ~ Susan Cain