While introverts tend to focus inward, entrepreneurship often requires an outward focus, adding difficulty for them. This post is part of a series.*
We often hear about successful extroverted leaders who dominate media. An introverted leader may lack headlines while quietly kicking ass.
Both personalities can lead, scale, and grow startups effectively differently. Simultaneously, both can benefit from the other's strengths.
This post will cover each one's value and challenges and then offer tips for introverts on leading more effectively.
Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses
Introverted leaders tend to be less impulsive, communicate effectively, and listen well, which builds long-lasting, positive working relationships. Being reflective and creative helps introverts perform deep work to solve complex problems.
However, introverted leaders must overcome feeling awkward in larger groups of people and may be misunderstood as unfriendly or aloof.
Extroverted leaders can be comfortable and confident socially, leaving a strong impression on investors and customers. Persuasive, willing to take a stand, and able to share an exciting life, extroverts can be more relatable and interesting, useful in sales and business.
However, they may be impulsive, possibly leading to bad decisions or unintentionally hurting others. Sometimes, they come across as overbearing.
All founders exhibit these traits to various degrees. Recognizing your traits and their impact on others is essential to leading effectively.
How to Lead Effectively
I often talk with founders about understanding the dynamic between them and stakeholders, which frequently changes over time.
The one constant is your potential self-awareness. Success as an introverted leader depends on understanding and embracing your nature.
"Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate."
– Carl Gustav Jung
If you are an introvert, maximize your leadership and resilience in these ways:
Plan meetings to avoid crowded places and limit the group size
Focus on deeper work and delegate social responsibilities when possible
Carve out time alone whenever needed
As your business grows, you may need to adapt your leadership:
Hire an extroverted team to handle functions like sales and events
Lean on extroverted advisors to diversify their perspective
Seek insights through 1:1 meetings with key stakeholders
Introverted leaders can be highly effective, but they may also struggle. Recognizing and supplementing your approach can be incredibly effective.
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This post was written by me with AI editing. The picture is by Artem Oleshko, found here.
*Premise: Being a founder is always tough. Introverts tend to be more inwardly focused and recharge when alone. Entrepreneurship often requires an outward focus. This series sets out to surface being an introvert across selling, networking, leading, facing anxiety, and finding happiness. To be clear, there is a range of introverts, and extroverts also face many stressors. Hopefully, these posts offer something to everyone.
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