Over the course of my studies, I have found that there seems to be a very common assumption that introverts do not have what it takes to lead. In fact, according to an article posted for the Hustle, some 65% of senior executives believe that introversion is a “barrier to leadership” (Zachary Crockett, 2021). Upon further research, I have found that this bias against introverts is largely due to a general misunderstanding of the term “introvert.”
What is an Introvert?
Most people associate the term introvert with traits such as quiet, shy, reserved, and passive. While there is some validity to these qualities it is certainly not the whole story. So let’s travel back to the beginning-which in our case is about a hundred years ago. Introversion was first categorized in the 1920s by famed psychologist Carl Jung, as someone who gathers their energy from within (Crockett, 2021). This means that introverts are fueled by alone time, unlike extroverts who are fueled through socialization. Solitude is the most accepted aspect of introversion and is perhaps the reason people doubt their leadership capabilities.
Introverts As Capable Leaders?
At this point, you may be wondering how someone who prefers to go it alone could possibly head up a team of people (or even want to). But, as we have learned, successful leadership is not just charisma and outspoken energy. Leadership is determined by many factors, several of which introverts naturally possess.
Introverts as Natural Leaders?
One of the most valued assets of an introvert is their ability to separate their public and private self (Crockett, 2021). Good leaders know the value of keeping these two aspects separate, in order to mitigate emotion and maintain objectivity within the workplace. Extroverts are more likely to let personal emotions interfere in their job due to their innate need for outside affirmation. An introverted leader will have a natural desire to remain publically distant in order to protect their energy.
Introverts are also very reflective and analytical (Crocket, 2021). Articulating too many ideas or observations can confuse followers and create further problems. An introverted leader will often think before they speak, analyzing every possible outcome and answer before they share their thoughts. Some might see this self-correction as internal uncertainty, but it can help refine communication and maximize efficiency through clear and concise language. So yes, while this style of thinking might take longer to formulate it takes less time clarifying.
Introverted leaders recognize when they are wrong (Ekta Agarwal, 2018). One of the hardest parts of leadership is admitting fault. Wrong-doing not only decreases a leader’s credibility but can also lead to uncertainty within their followers. One of the most effective remedies to this mistake is humility. Introverts are naturally reflective which makes them incredibly self-aware. This is very beneficial in times of crisis, as introverts tend to be more humble and publically accepting of their faults. This leverages their communication skills by creating a transparent and trusting environment between leader and follower.
Introverts as Effective Leaders
Introverts are action-oriented and think to talk. They lead through steady communication and humble example. An introverted leader tends to be passionate and ambitious, as their drive comes from their desire to lead people towards an ideal rather than using an ideal to lead people. The common misconception that introverts are withdrawn and indecisive stems from the general misunderstanding between needs and capabilities. Introverts need their solace to find and maintain self-assurance. Once this inner confidence is achieved, introverts are capable of becoming assertive, analytical, and inspiring leaders.
References
The Hustle. “65% Of Execs Think Introverts Are Bad Leaders. Here’s Why That’s BS.” The Hustle, 17 May 2021, https://thehustle.co/65-of-execs-think-introverts-are-bad-leaders-heres-why-thats-bs/.
sqa5665 says
Thanks for a great blog post. I really enjoyed reading this post and learning from it. As an extrovert, I tend to see leadership from my approach. I have always related introverts to followers and extroverts to leaders. I’m aware that this is not accurate, but my brain associated these terms that way. Therefore, your details and analysis on what an introvert is and how they lead were very helpful!
I found this idea also related to my blog post. I talked about interpersonal insensitivity. I related the two concepts because sensitive leaders are critical and introverts tend to be better with this approach. Simon Sinek claims that introverts can connect with individuals better.
I watch a video by Simon Sinek which was very helpful in explaining how introverts and extroverts differ, ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozSjZ6iRKSA). He used the example of when an introvert goes to a party, every social interaction costs them a coin. On the other hand, an extrovert would gain a coin from every social interaction they have. This example and your blog post helped me understand that the personality is not determined by whether or not someone seems socially awkward, but rather the gain or drain one receives when socializing.
Resources
YouTube. (2020). How to Leverage Being an Introvert | Simon Sinek. Simon Sinek.
nmr5634 says
This is a great topic that many probably don’t think about when the topic of leaders and introversion come up. I always thought introverts would be too shy to be leaders especially since most introverts just prefer to have minimal social interaction. However, you stated that extroverts seek that social validation and they become emotional while working and introverts keep that guard up while working to be a better leader. I definitely have noticed this difference among previous leaders I’ve known in the past. I am learning that introverts actually are better leaders according to your evidence.
If someone is an introvert, they’re likely to be more calm in stressful situations than an extraverted leader is and that is something to take into consideration when dealing with a leader. Introverted leaders tend to be better listeners, empathizing with their staff when they’re frustrated about something and taking concerns into account (Rubright, 2021). A good leaders are ones that need to be able to handle feedback and actually grasp what employees are saying to them. I think it was interesting you included in your post that introverts can admit when they are wrong. I think that ties in what I mentioned about being able to take feedback and listen. An employee may come up to their leader and say what is wrong and they’re able to listen and grasp effectively the situation and handle it better than an extraverted person may have.
I was always told growing up, in school, and at work that being outgoing and bubbly can get you farther. I don’t agree with this, I think it can also do you wrong. Being extraverted and over the top sometimes is just not needed at times in work setting when you are a leader. However, I do think that a mix of both in a workplace is necessary. An efficient leader is someone who is able to organize and direct its followers to their best ability. Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northouse, 2021).
References
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Rubright, N. (2021). Introvert vs. Extrovert: Who makes a better leader. Firsthand. Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://firsthand.co/blogs/workplace-issues/introvert-vs-extrovert-who-makes-a-better-leader
kzg5401 says
I really like your blog post and the way you formatted it. It’s easy to read and follow along. I always associated introverts as being quiet, shy and reserved individuals. However, as you pointed out, introverts have the capability to be very successful leaders. According to Northouse (2018), “Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (p.5). A 2010 Harvard study found that introverts are often more effective at leading proactive teams compared to extroverts. According to Nobel (2010), an introverted leader is more likely to listen to and process the ideas of a team. In contrast, research shows that introverts are not prone to self-promotion (Nobel, 2010). Introverts typically have more trouble rising through corporate ranks in order to take a leadership role compared to extroverts (Nobel, 2010).
To answer the question in the blog comment, it is possible to be both introverted and extroverted. According to Petric (2019), “An ambivert is someone who exhibits qualities of both introversion and
extraversion and can flip into either depending on their mood, context and goals” (p.1). Introvert, ambivert and extrovert is a spectrum of personality traits rather than personality types (Petric, 2019). According to Petric (2019), “It it very rare to find person that is pure introvert or extrovert” (p.1). I would consider myself an extroverted individual. I thrive off social interactions and don’t like to spend a lot of time by myself. Would you consider yourself an introvert, ambivert or extrovert?
References
Nobel, C. (2010, October 4). Introverts: The best leaders for proactive employees. HBS Working Knowledge. Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/introverts-the-best-leaders-for-proactive-employees.
Northouse, P. G. (2018). Introduction. In Leadership: Theory and practice (Eight, pp. 1–16). essay, SAGE Publications .
Petric, D. (2019). Introvert, Extrovert and Ambivert. The Knot Theory of Mind.
jxc1099 says
As an introvert, I found your article extremely interesting and great starter to the conversation. We undervalue introverts in the workplace even though according to Kate Rodriquez (n.d.) organization suffer when we do so. It’s estimated that approximately 25-30% of CEOs are introverts, which I believe demonstrates that leadership can be introverted and still rise to the top of their organization. I’ve worked under both introverts and extroverts and both can be rewarding experienced.
There’s so much more to a great leader than just personality types and the big 5 (Northouse, 2021). Is that introvert also conscientious and emotionally stable? What about their focus on context and culture? How do they handle conflict? Are they more likely to avoid conflict or escalate conflict? I’d be curious to know more about differences between extroverts and introverts in terms of conflict negotiation which is often a challenging situation for leaders. I’d predict that introverts are more likely to avoid conflict and extroverts are more likely to escalate conflict. We need capable leaders who know how to navigate conflict in a productive way – regardless of their personality type.
References:
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Rodriguez, K. (n.d.) Leaders Consider Your Introverts. Economist.com. Accessed from: https://execed.economist.com/career-advice/career-hacks/leaders-consider-your-introverts
krs5925 says
This blog delves deep into the idea that introverts are effective leaders despite the idea that all introverts are to shy and quiet to be effective leaders. Often people think you have to be super outgoing like an extrovert to be an effective leader. It was not until college where I learned the true meaning of what it is to be an introvert and an extrovert. Before this, I would have been one of the people to ask the question you stated in your post, “how someone who prefers to go it alone could possibly head up a team of people (or even want to)?” Your post draws attention to the important of not judging a book by it’s cover. Just because someone is on the quieter side and is more independent does not mean they cannot successfully lead a group of people.
You mentioned the ability introverts have to separate their public and private life being one of the reasons they lead effectively. As an introvert I can attest to the separation of a private life and public life being a big factor. Emotions are kept out when these lives are separate which helps to effectively lead. If you bring your private life into your public life you may have difficulty deciphering the between the two as they will become jumbled in one another.
“A study by Harvard Business Review revealed that introverted leaders delivered better results when handling proactive workers than extroverts (Rubright, 2021).” This idea sparks the argument that it is because introverts are not focused on getting attention of others. The desire for attention is not there as it is for extroverts. It makes me think of mindset. If you are in the right mindset you are focused on what the goal is and outside factors are not affecting you. It makes me think “Do extroverts desire for attention lead them to not be able to hone down and focus making them less of an effective leader?”
I was once told by a professor that there is no way you can be both extroverted and introverted. I can’t help but think this is incorrect. Does anyone else believe this is true or untrue? I believe people may find qualities of both within themselves and people who have multiple personalities can transition back and forth into both. This brings me to the idea of can introverts train themselves to acquire extrovert ways and vice versus. Their are advantages and disadvantages to the way introverts and extroverts lead. Would acquiring traits from both make the perfect leader?
References
Rubright, N. (2021). Introvert vs. Extrovert: Who makes a better leader. Firsthand. Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://firsthand.co/blogs/workplace-issues/introvert-vs-extrovert-who-makes-a-better-leader
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership (9th Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781071834473