The Introverted Leader: How to Manage Your Introversion in an Extroverted Business World
By Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D
In today's
extroverted business world, introverts can feel ignored, overlooked, and
misunderstood. In fact, according to my research-a two-and-a-half-year national
study of introverted professionals-four out of five introverts say extroverts
are more likely to get ahead in
their workplace. What's more, over 40 percent say they would like to change
their introverted tendencies, but don't know where or how to begin.
The good news? Introversion can be managed.
There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, but with time and practice, introverted
pros can learn to build on their quiet strength and succeed.
What is introversion, anyway?
Introverts may be
less noisy at work, but by all accounts they outnumber extroverts. Even many
high-powered executives-a full 40 percent-describe themselves as introverts,
including Microsoft's Bill Gates and uber-investor Warren Buffett. Odds are,
President Obama is an introvert as well. But
what is introversion, anyway?
Unlike shyness, a
product of anxiety or fear in social settings, introversion is a key part of
personality-a hardwired orientation-and may be best defined by several
characteristic behaviors. Introverts process information internally, keep
personal matters private, and avoid showing emotion. Other defining behaviors:
Seek
solitude
Introverts need
and want to spend time alone. They often suffer from people exhaustion and must
retreat to recharge their batteries. At work, they prefer quiet, private spaces
and like to handle projects on their own or with a small group.
Think
first, talk later
Introverts think
before they speak. Even in casual watercooler chats, they consider others'
comments carefully and pause and reflect before responding. They dislike
interruptions, especially when they are thinking things through.
Focus
on depth
Introverts seek
depth over breadth. They like to dig deep-delving into issues and ideas before
moving on to new ones. They are drawn to meaningful conversations-not
superficial chit-chat-and know how to tune in and listen to others.
Let
their fingers do the talking
Introverts prefer
writing to talking. On the job, they opt for e-mail over the telephone and stop
by only when necessary. Averse to excessive conversation, many gravitate toward
social networking Web sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Exhibit calmness
Introverts are
usually quiet, reserved, and low-key. Unlike extroverts, they have no desire to
be the center of attention, preferring to fly below the radar instead. Even in
heated conversations or circumstances, they tend to stay calm-at least on the
outside-and speak softly and slowly.
The hard realities
"It's not easy
being green," laments Muppet Kermit the Frog. Same goes for being introverted
in an extroverted business culture. With their appetite for talk and attention,
extroverts dominate the workplace. Meanwhile, introverts-with their quiet
smarts and unsung successes-sit on the professional sidelines. Some hard
realities faced by introverted pros:
People exhaustion
Introverts can
experience an assortment of ailments at work-headaches, backaches,
stomachaches, and more-yet feel fine off the job. This mind-body response to
stress can result from a wide range of factors. The chief culprit: people
exhaustion.
Project overload
Introverts tend
to have difficulty saying no and find it equally hard to ask for help or
direction. As a result, they frequently feel overloaded with projects and
deadlines-hurting their on-the-job performance and work-life balance.
Underselling
Introverts
typically stay mum about their accomplishments-seeming to abide by the old
Southern adage, "Don't brag on yourself." Yet today careers are made or broken
by what others know about a person's skills and potential. Introverts,
therefore, can miss out on promotions or plum assignments simply because they
don't sell themselves.
Unheard ideas
Introverts often
have great ideas that go unheard. In group settings, they may show up with
smart solutions, yet can't seem to find an opening in which to share them. Even
in one-on-one conversations-especially with talkers-they have trouble
interjecting their ideas and being heard.
Failure to "play the game"
Introverts
routinely retreat from office politics. Sure, politics can be nasty,
but much of the
game is natural and necessary, particularly for building relationships up and
down an organization. Introverts, with their desire to be low-key, often fail
to sniff out important politicking opportunities and wind up watching their
extroverted colleagues get ahead.
There is no magic
bullet for managing your introversion. But in today's noisy business world and
workplace, you can learn how to thrive. The goal is not changing your
personality or natural work style, but embracing and expanding who you are.
As an ongoing
framework, follow the "4 P's": preparation (devising game plans); presence
(focusing on the moment); push (stretching and growing); and practice
(rehearsing and refining new skills).
Learning new
skills and behaviors may be uncomfortable at first, but with conscious
repetition and refinement, you can manage your introversion-and thrive in the
extroverted business world.
Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D., is a workplace
and careers expert, coach, speaker and author of The Introverted
Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength.
She can be reached through AboutYOUInc.com.
[Editor's note: Additional tips on how to
practically manage your introversion in a business setting can be found in the
May issue of Bob Pike's Creative Training Techniques newsletter at www.CreativeTrainingTech.com. A
subscription-$1 for one month-is required.]
