From a young age, we have been conditioned to believe that only those who are the loudest are the most successful. Raising your hand in class and being part of a large group of friends seemed to be the path to future success. Yet, it is the quietest people who tend to make the most significant impacts in organizations. Keep reading to learn about the traits that make introverts natural leaders.
Vincent Scaramuzzo, President, Ed-Exec, Inc.
Some of the best leaders in history were not the loudest at the podium, but those that retreated to their workspaces to draft a plan, write a moving speech, or create unimaginable feats of technology. Introverts have been silently leading for centuries. Your next most powerful leader many be sitting quietly at their desk generating ideas to bring your organization to the next level of success.
Trait #1: Introverts are fantastic problem solvers
Since introverts tend to be very observant and detail-oriented, they can create space for themselves to go deep and look at a problem from multiple possible angles. Some may find their tendency to remain quiet in meetings as aloofness, but in reality, they are merely taking in all of the information. It is often outside of the conference room, in quiet of their own space, do introverts have the space to synthesize all of the information and come up with ideas or solutions to complex problems.
Trait #2: Introverts are great at delegation
Time management is perhaps the introvert’s best way of managing their energy levels in the workplace. The most common means time management is through planning and delegation. Introverted leaders may appear to be shy, but they are rarely shy about delegating tasks that better suited to someone more extroverted. Once a responsibility or project is delegated, there is rarely an issue of micromanaging that task. The introverted leader will check on progress, but as a natural, self-starting, independent worker, they give their teams and colleagues the same space.
Trait #3: Introverts are adept relationship builders
If you are looking to land a new client, or strengthen a relationship with a current client, send in your introverted leader. While the more extroverted on your team is best for showing your clients the best restaurants or attractions, it is the conversations with introverts that will build relationships. The natural tendencies to listen more than speaking will quickly build rapport. Through these conversations, the introvert can use their problem-solving skills and planning to create great a deeper relationship with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders in the organization.
Some of the best leaders in history were not the loudest at the podium, but those that retreated to their workspaces to draft a plan, write a moving speech, or create unimaginable feats of technology. Introverts have been silently leading for centuries. Your next most powerful leader many be sitting quietly at their desk generating ideas to bring your organization to the next level of success.
*Not all articles are original works of Vincent Scaramuzzo or Ed-Exec, Inc.*
Vincent Scaramuzzo is the President of Ed-Exec, Inc. A leading Education Executive Search Firm. He is also a contributing author to various education publications regarding education recruiting. As a specialist in the education field for over a decade, Scaramuzzo works nationally. He can be contacted at vincent@ed-exec.com 860-781-7641.