By Janice Chaka
If you’re an introvert who recently stepped into a leadership role, don’t fret. Read this brief guide to learn how you can tackle challenges and succeed.
Are you an introvert looking for ways to be an effective leader? If so, you aren’t alone! Approximately 25 to 40 percent of the population is composed of introverts.
Just because you are a quieter person that keeps to yourself doesn’t mean you can’t be a great leader. The important thing is to capitalize on your strengths and use them to your advantage.
Read on to learn a brief guide on how to be an introvert with great leadership qualities!
Act With Intent And Purpose
When you compare an introvert vs. an extrovert, you will learn that an extrovert is someone that thrives off of being around other people and in social situations. The good news is that you don’t need to be an extrovert to be a great leader.
An introvert can lead effectively by acting intentionally and with a purpose. The actions you take as a leader are often followed by employees and those under your direction.
Thinking about how your actions will impact your team and bring you closer (or further) to your goal is important. These decisions will have a positive or negative influence on those around you.
Use Active Listening Skills
An introverted personality means that you are more likely to enjoy talking one on one with staff.
Using active listening skills to your advantage can make you a more effective leader for your team. What is active listening and why is it important?
Active listening is where the recipient of verbal communication hears the full message and not just the words being spoken. Paying attention to tone, body language and more as introverts help with the people you lead feeling heard and understood. Which is what most people want from a leader.
Capitalize on Sound Judgment
The best jobs for introverts are often those that do not require a lot of interface with other people. That’s because as an introvert, you naturally need more time to recharge and find comfort in deep work
Whether you are in a job with little or a lot of direct communication with others, you can lead well by using sound judgment. Before you make a decision in your job, weigh the pros and cons of each option.
How will taking one course of action impact your business and your customer? Be patient as you consider your options and reach a decision that’s best for you and your company!
Set Good Boundaries
Setting boundaries not just for yourself but for others is a great way to be an effective leader. It will help show others that there is more than one way to be a leader.
Make sure you carve out time for yourself to recharge by not scheduling back to back meetings.
Feel free to let your team know when you are doing deep work and don’t want to be disturbed. They will appreciate the opportunity to do the same.
Become an Introvert With Effective Leadership
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, becoming a great leader can be a challenge. Being an introvert with effective leadership is worth pursuing in your personal and professional life.
Remembering that you are around to support others as a leader can be a helpful way to reframe any doubts you might have around your abilities to be an effective leader. You can always ask for feedback from your team so you can get a better idea of what they need in a leader.
As you go down the path of becoming a leader, you will learn a lot about yourself and those around you. This will help you grow as a person in and out of your office.
If you want to learn more about how you can be successful as an introvert leader head over to The Career Introvert Blog
About the author
Janice Chaka is a respected international HR professional, virtual business owner, introvert coach, and professional podcaster. Long before “working remote” was hip, she confidently led a remote recruiting team. Known as the Career Introvert, Janice excels at solving complex HR challenges, managing emotions, and setting boundaries as an introvert — Janice has mastered the art of leveraging introvert strengths to build a thriving virtual business in a global market. As a result, she is a sought-after author and speaker for digital summits on introversion, virtual work, and mental health.
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