Have you ever wondered if you can be an effective leader as an introvert? I have—and I pushed myself into burnout trying to be an extrovert because of it.
But it turns out introverts make great leaders (sometimes even better than extroverts—shh, it’s our little secret). I just read and loved the book Company of One by Paul Jarvis. Listen to what he has to say about being an introvert and a leader…
“A study done by professors at Harvard Business School found that introverted leaders, especially when they are managing skilled and proactive teams, can be highly successful. That’s because a quieter, calmer leader is more likely to listen carefully, stay very focused, and not be afraid to work for long stretches of time without interruption.
I myself am the first to admit that I’m socially awkward and not well spoken in groups—I have a hard time functioning at everything from conferences to parties. What I have done is structure my business around what I’m better at—online teaching and written communication.
I’ve turned my introversion into a positive tool, instead of an excuse for inaction. I find ways to lead that suit my personality and skill set.
I let my perceived shortcomings, like being awkward or bad at managing others, work for my business, not against it.”
Who’s a leader? I believe the answer is everyone, whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, a mama raising kids or a retiree volunteering in your community, whether you work in an office or in the coffee shop on the corner.
You are influencing someone today, and being an introvert might just be the very best way to do it.
Cheering You On,
Holley Gerth
p.s. Want a free copy of my bestselling book, The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You? I’ll ship one right to you when you sign up for my online course that helps introverts like you thrive. Learn more.
