We often hear about the successes of gregarious and outspoken extroverts who dominate social media.
However, an introverted leader may lack recognition while quietly succeeding.*
Both introverts and extroverts can lead, scale, and grow startups effectively. Simultaneously, both face challenges and can benefit from the other's strengths. This post ends with tips to lead effectively.
Introverts recharge when alone, while extroverts recharge when around others. Both personalities can lead, scale, and grow startups effectively. Simultaneously, both can benefit from the others' strengths.
We will review the benefits and challenges of each one and provide tips for introverts to lead effectively. Let's grow!
Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses
Introverted leaders are often highly self-aware and excellent listeners, which builds long-lasting, positive working relationships.
They tend to be less impulsive and communicate effectively, inspiring others.
Also, they are more reflective, creative, and independent, which can help them perform deep work to solve complex problems.
However, introverted leaders must overcome feeling awkward in larger groups of people. They may not engage or collaborate well in meetings.
Since they tend to silently observe, introverts can be misunderstood as unfriendly or aloof.
Extroverted leaders can be comfortable and confident socially, leaving a strong impression on investors and customers.
Not afraid to take a stand, persuasive, and able to share an exciting life, extroverts can be more relatable and interesting, useful in sales and business.
However, they may be impulsive, unfortunately leading to bad decisions or unintentionally hurting others. Sometimes, they come across as overbearing.
They can be easily distracted by spending time with others and struggle with the deep work to make thoughtful decisions or solve complicated problems.
How to Lead Effectively
Understand and embrace your introverted nature.
"Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate."
- Carl Gustav Jun
Some people do not understand introverts. I once had a manager pull me aside, concerned I left a large function for a few minutes to recharge.
Maximize your leadership and resilience in these ways:
Plan meetings to avoid crowded places and limit the group size
Focus on areas requiring deeper work and delegate where possible
Carve out time alone, and don’t try to be someone you're not
Recharge and learn by connecting meaningfully with a few advisors
As your business grows, you may need to adapt leadership:
Hire extroverted team to handle functions like sales
Lean on extroverted advisors to push you further
Install metrics to track and plan progress
Introverted leaders can be thoughtful, creative, and reflective, despite facing challenges. Adapt by pushing yourself and finding support as needed.
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Original image by Artem Oleshko who can be found at https://bit.ly/40cVC4w
* Survivorship Bias is where a successful group of people is mistaken as representing the entire group due to the invisibility of the failure subgroup
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