Growing up I’ve always been an introvert, and until maybe a year ago I viewed it as my Achilles’ heel. Most of us have internalized the idea that extroverts are just better than introverts; extroverts are charismatic, extroverts are leaders, extroverts are fearless, etc. But the fact is those qualities don’t exclusively belong to extroverts, and in many ways, introverts are better at them. Yeah, I said it.
Often when someone says “yeah they’re an introvert” we instantly picture someone huddled under a blanket on a Friday night or nervous to talk to strangers, which not gonna deny, occasionally we do those things. Sometimes both of them at the same time:
jk
But what I’m getting at is on the surface, due to everyday conversation, you might think the word “introvert” is synonymous with “weirdo”. When someone says “extrovert” you don’t immediately think of someone blurting out something insensitive in a group of people, but that is just as common as our nervousness chatting with the pizza delivery guy (and the former is often way worse). We run through a lot of what we’re about to say in our head first and catch a lot of those oh shit moments.
This means anytime we’re giving a public speech, it is flawless..well maybe not in the delivery, but on paper it is perfection. Mostly everyone fears public speaking, and I hated it at first too. Three public speaking classes later, and I have to say it’s something I look forward to. Introverts can be AMAZING public speakers. We recharge while alone, so practicing a speech by ourselves the day before is far more powerful than it would be for someone who is energized by being around other people. And a perfect example of an introvert who delivers amazing speeches is President Barrack Obama.
yeah that was my first reaction
“I’ve known the guy since 1988. He’s not someone who has a wide circle of friends. He’s not a backslapper and he’s not an arm-twister. He’s a more or less solitary figure who has extraordinary communicative capacities.” -political journalist John Heilemann
He’s charismatic. He’s obviously a very powerful leader. He is an introvert.
Introverts are amazing listeners, and to be a great leader you put the people’s needs first. If you’re not actively listening to what those needs are, you may confidently lead people elsewhere. Excellent communicators know how to read a room, observe reactions, and see what works and what doesn’t. These are intrinsically introvert traits.
Knowing when to let others take the wheel is just as important! Success is not a one man’s game and knowing each and every one of your colleagues’ unique talents helps you decipher how to best organize and manage your team, and yes letting someone else take over and lead the pack occasionally. Assertiveness may be natural for extroverts and no doubt it can be a strength, but assertiveness and effective leadership are not one in the same.
Ever since I was little, I’ve been shy and needed alone time to prep for school/work/going out. I’ve also always sought out leadership roles, and I thought that made me less introverted. Moving forward I’m proud to realize that being an introvert has helped not hindered those pursuits. Many people assume introverts who speak confidently and are comfortable in leadership positions “came out of their shell”. Nah actually we love our shell, it’s magical, it’s necessary, and there’s nothing wrong with recharging by being alone!
It’s true it is very much a scale, and you may fall somewhere in between and be an ambivert or an extroverted-introvert or any other combination. But don’t think for one second being pretty introverted isn’t an asset or limits your ability to make a loud impression with your quiet, grounded demeanor. And if you forget how badass being an introvert is, remember who your company is:
- Barrack Obama
- Meryl Streep
- Michael Jordan
- J.K. Rowling
- Albert Einstein
- Emma Watson
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Audrey Hepburn
- Elton John
Need I go on?